The star-studded Dhaka was in the driving seat at the end of third day's play as they took a 209-run overall lead after gaining an important first innings lead.

Away at Rangpur, a 91-run diligent innings by Parvez Ahmed enabled Sylhet fight back against Rajshahi in their second innings and set their opponents a 136-run victory target on the last day today.

There was good news at Jessore as the match between holders Khulna and Barisal finally started after two and half day's play being rained off.

One-day specialist Tushar Imran hit an unbeaten 73 to guide hosts Khulna score 143 for four wickets at stumps.

DHAKA VS CHITTAGONG

A devastating bowling display by left-arm spinner Rafique gave hosts Dhaka a slim nine-run first innings lead and later national discards Al Shahriar and Sanwar Hossain did the job with the bat to turn the match in the home team's favour.

After wrapping up the Chittagong first innings for 134 runs, Dhaka reached 220 for 6 in their second knock at stumps.

Earlier, the port city side resumed the day on 61 for two.

Stylish right-handed opening batsman Al Shahriar and Sanwar put up 116 runs for the second wicket to improve the hosts' batting in the second innings. Shahriar smashed 87 off 172 balls that produced eight boundaries while Sanwar added 52 off 92 balls, clouting five boundaries.

Tall off-spinner Sabbir Khan captured four wickets conceding 77 runs in 28 overs.

Earlier, although two overnight batsmen Faisal Hossain and Azam Iqbal made a good start for the visitors, but the innings just fell apart once Azam returned to the dressing room after making 27 off 90 balls.

First round hero Faisal was the top scorer with 52 runs off 124 balls that saw eight boundaries.

Rafique finished with figures of 26-11-45-6 and he was ably supported by right-arm pacer Khaled Mahmud who took three wickets conceding 31 runs in 16.3 overs.

RAJSHAHI VS SYLHET

Meanwhile, Sylhet recovered from an early setback to score 233 before being all out to take a 135-run lead against Rajshahi at Rangpur Cricket Garden.

Sylhet had started their second innings with a 98-run deficit and were all out for a respectable 233 runs in 97 overs after resuming the day on 15 for two.

Number five batsman Parvez Ahmed made the team highest 91 runs off 190 balls with seven hits to the fence while Hemel added 36 off 87 balls and Tushar 34 off 124.

Humayun Kabir (22), Shahjada (41) and Saifullah Khan (83) captured three wickets each.

KHULNA VS BARISAL

At Jessore, Right-handed Tushar Imran was unbeaten on 73 runs as Khulna made 143 runs for four wickets in 61 overs after Barisal invited them to bat first at the Shamsul Huda Stadium.

The dashing batsman hit four boundaries and one over boundary in his 164-run innings while country's number one batsman and Khulna skipper Habibul Bashar scored 28 off 101 balls.