Dhiman after the storm

Rajshahi wicketkeeper-batsman Dhiman Ghosh tucks one on the on-side during the first innings against Dhaka on the second day of the National Cricket League final at the Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium in Mirpur yesterday.

 

The afternoon thunderstorm and heavy rain did little to deter Dhiman Ghosh who took Rajshahi out of a rut against Dhaka on the second day of the National Cricket League final at the Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium in Mirpur yesterday.

Rajshahi reached 177 for four when stumps were drawn after bad light stopped play at 5:25pm.

Mirpur's fast-draining outfield came to the rescue once again, the ground being ready to use after it had rained during the entire afternoon session (between lunch and tea) -- a duration of almost three hours.

Dhiman, who has already scored three centuries in the competition and is second on the highest run-scorers list, batted with the usual poise he has shown thus far. He reached his half-century off 62 balls, ending the day on 66 not out off 86 balls with the help of ten boundaries. His 108-minute stay reassured Rajshahi as they face a crunch third day, the defending champions also having No 4 batsman Naeem Islam at the crease.

The national all-rounder was unbeaten on 42 off 119 balls as he calmly batted through rain breaks and early dismissals at the other end. He struck five boundaries during his vigil that has lasted nearly three hours.

The pair has so far added 106 runs for the fifth wicket, the partnership gaining more importance as the innings goes by as Rajshahi bid for the all-important first innings lead.

The Dhaka spinners were steady at best with left-arm spinners Mosharraf Hossain and Elias Sunny gaining little from an unresponsive wicket.

But the best bowler for Dhaka was paceman Shahadat Hossain (with very little grunting, one must add), who took three wickets on the truncated day including that of Mushfiqur Rahim, caught in the slips by Shamsur Rahman for 12 after the long break.

In the first hour, he had Johurul Islam caught at cover by Mehrab Hossain for just six before taking a fine return catch to remove Farhad Hossain for five.

Shahadat bowled quite well on the slow pitch, finding good rhythm and making sure he made the batsman use their feet and not just sit back and wait on him. He continually forced the Rajshahi batsmen to come onto the front foot. His dismissals of Johurul and Farhad were key to Dhaka's efforts of keeping the strong batting line-up in check.

Meanwhile, Tigers' No 3 Junaed Siddiqui, who was caught behind trying to pull a Mohammad Sharif delivery, was handed a fine worth 50% of his match fees by match referee Roquibul Hassan after he was found to be abusive following his dismissal.

BRIEF SCORES
DHAKA: First innings 280 all out

RAJSHAHI: First innings 177-4 in 54 overs (Dhiman 66 not out, Naeem 42 not out; Shahadat 3-36, Sharif 1-35).