Bashir remained 78 not out to guide hosts Khulna out of troubled waters against Chittagong at the Jessore Stadium. The home side went to stumps at 255-8 after Chiitagong spinner Ahsanullah Hasan grabbed five wickets.

Anis hit an unbeaten 76 as Rajshahi scored 249 all out against league leaders Dhaka at the Dhanmondi Cricket Stadium.

Sylhet finished the opening day in a strong position against lowly Barisal when they reached 214-4 at the Barisal Stadium.

KHULNA V CHITTAGONG

When Bashir came to the crease Khulna were struggling on 66-4 put into bat. He then applied himself with 78 off 214 balls that contained six fours.

He also featured in a crucial 98-run sixth wicket stand with lower-order batsman Neaz Murshed who contributed 31 off 90 balls

Khulna skipper Hasanuzzaman carried his superb one-day form where he cracked a century against the same opponents by hitting the second highest 48.

DHAKA V RAJSHAHI

Dhaka's spin twins Naimur Rahman and Elias Sunny shared seven wickets but Rajshahi still managed to total a respectable 249 after being put in.

Besides Anis who belted nine boundaries in his 148-ball innings other notable scores came from from the bats of opener Rafiqul Islam (47 off 129 balls) and number nine Aminul Islam with a remarkable 31-ball 42.

Dhaka captain Naimur Rahman claimed four for 76 while his young partner Sunny captured three wickets for 53 runs.

In reply, Dhaka ended the day without any loss for 6 runs in 3 overs.

SYLHET V BARISAL

A 97-run unbeaten fifth-wicket partnership between Golam Mowla and Nasirul Alam helped Sylhet to commanding position after deciding to bat.

But the visitors may have wondered whether the decision was correct after they lost their first wicket with only ten runs on the board.

However, one-day centurion Golam Mabud and captain Parvez Ahmed combined to add 67 runs to lay the foundations for a big total on a placid Barisal Stadium pitch.

Parvez scored 55 off 110 balls with seven hits to the fence while Mabud added 32 off 95 balls that featured six boundaries.

Mowla was batting on 49 and Nasirul 45 at the close.