Imrul Kayes ends red-ball career

Bangladeshi veteran batter Imrul Kayes ended his test career by playing his last innings against Dhaka Division on the second day of the fifth round of the National Cricket League (NCL) at the Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium in Mirpur.

In his final red-ball innings, Imrul Kayes could not provide a fairytale ending, managing just one run before being dismissed.

Imrul, who had scored 16 in the first innings, arrived at the crease following the early departure of opener Anamul Haque Bijoy. However, his stay was brief, lasting only two balls as he was caught at slip by Rony Talukdar off pacer Anamul Haque. The dismissal brought the curtain down on the 37-year-old's 17-year first-class career, which saw him amass 7,947 runs in 138 matches, with 20 centuries and 27 fifties.

A guard of honour from his Khulna teammates accompanied Imrul's walk to the crease, and his departure was met with gestures of respect from opponents and umpires. The left-hander had announced his red-ball retirement ahead of the match. His last appearance for Bangladesh in Test cricket came in 2019 against India in Kolkata.

Khulna Division, like their experienced batter, struggled significantly in the match, collapsing for a mere 91 runs in their second innings. Dhaka Division's pacers, with Anamul Haque taking four wickets and Mahfuzur Rabby picking up three, inflicted the damage, leaving Dhaka needing just 103 runs to secure victory.

Earlier in the day, Dhaka extended their overnight score from 58-3 to a total of 160, giving Khulna a narrow first-innings lead of 12 runs. Ariful Islam top-scored with 62 for Dhaka, while Khulna's bowlers Al-Amin Hossain, Masum Khan Tutul, and Aridul Islam Akash claimed three wickets each.

At the Sheikh Abu Naser Stadium in Khulna, Sylhet Division captain Amite Hasan impressed with consecutive centuries, following up his first ton of the season with a commanding 101. His efforts, along with Asadulla Al Galib's 56, helped Sylhet post 376 in their first innings, gaining a 246-run lead. By stumps, Dhaka Metro was struggling at 49-4.

In Chattogram, the hosts held a commanding position over Rajshahi Division. After bowling Rajshahi out for 202 in their second innings, thanks to Ahmed Sharif�s maiden first-class five-wicket haul (5-47), Chattogram secured a 140-run lead. Earlier, Shamim Hossain led the charge for Chattogram with an unbeaten 84 in their first-innings total of 252.

Meanwhile, at the Shaheed Kamruzzaman Stadium in Rajshahi, Rangpur Division was in pursuit of Barishal Division�s first-innings total of 336. Rangpur reached 218-5 at stumps, adding 70 runs to their overnight total, with skipper Tanvir Islam's brisk 52 off 57 balls standing out for Barishal.