Sylhet claim NCL title for first time

For the first time in NCL history, Sylhet Division claimed the title on Tuesday, defeating Barishal by 5 wickets at the Sylhet International Cricket Stadium.

On Monday, Sylhet bowled out Barishal for just 142 runs in their second innings, leaving Sylhet a target of 105 runs to win. Sylhet didn't bat the day before, but on Tuesday, they chased down the target in the first session, losing 5 wickets along the way, and became champions with a match to spare.

Rangpur could have kept Sylhet waiting until the last match. However, since Rangpur’s chance of winning against Dhaka Metropolitan was already over, Sylhet's victory was almost certain. If Rangpur had won, Sylhet would have had to wait for another match. But with Rangpur’s hopes gone and Dhaka Metropolitan leading by 174 runs as they started their second innings, the match will likely end in a draw, making Sylhet the champion.

So far in the National Cricket League, Dhaka and Khulna have won the most titles, with seven each. Rajshahi has won six times, Rangpur twice, and Chattogram, Biman, and Sylhet have each won once.