Mahmud, the former Bangladesh captain, remained undefeated on 141 at the Bangabandhu National Stadium as Dhaka collected four points after the home side took a slim nine-run first innings' lead whereas Sylhet got two points.

Elsewhere on the last day, there was also another century-maker when Jamal Uddin (116) guided Khulna to a four-wicket victory over lowly Barisal.

Meanwhile, the four-dayer between Chittagong and Rajshahi ended as a draw with hosts Rajshahi earning four points by virtue of a first innings' lead.

All the teams will now switch to the limited-overs competition today.

DHAKA v SYLHET

When Mahmud walked into the middle, his side was struggling at 74-5 but he then called upon all his experience to rescue the situation.

Resuming on 70-4, Dhaka lost their fifth wicket in the third over of the day when overnight Anwar Hossain (9) was trapped lbw by pacer Hasibul Hossain.

Mahmud joined his young national mate Mohammad Ashraful (58 off 113 balls) and the pair produced 54 runs for the sixth wicket.

Further contributions down the order by Mohammad Rafique (21) and Arafat Sunny (20) aided Dhaka's rebuilding process as they were eventually bowled out 304 in their second essay, a lead of 313 runs.

For a change Mahmud was initially very watchful in reaching his fifty from 128 balls with six boundaries. However, the right-hander moved into top gear once he got the measure the opposition attack. His second fifty took only 45 balls.

In his 215-ball knock, Mahmud hammered 14 boundaries and a six. He offered only one chance on 99 but Sylhet wicketkeeper Golam Mabud failed to effect a stumping off Sadiqur Rahman.

The diminutive all-rounder was delighted by his maiden ton in the first-class competition and hoped his continued good form would lead to a Test call-up.

"I'm really excited because it was my first longer-version century. Actually I've had little opportunity to score big runs in the national side batting at number eight or nine," said Mahmud.

"I'm still hopeful of reviving my Test career but I'll have to score more than six hundred runs in the League," he added.

Sylhet Division experienced a mini-collapse as they lost three wickets before finished 70-3 when the match ended.

Out of form Alok Kapali hit a strokeful 36-ball 40 before being trapped lbw by Mohammad Ashraful.

Besides, first-innings centurion Golam Rahman was fined Tk 2,500 for misconduct while returning to the dressing room after 160 in Sylhet's 316.

KHULNA v BARISAL
Resuming the day still needing 145 runs for victory, Khulna rode on Jamaluddin's 116 at the Khulna Divisional Stadium.

Khulna, who began on 85-2, reached the target scoring 232-6 in 98.3 overs.

National discard Jamal clobbered 14 fours and two sixes in 229 balls while his overnight partner Shafiul Alam added 62.

The third-wicket pair contributed 146 runs.

Barisal spinners Arafat Salahu-ddin captured two for 24 runs and Mosharaf Hossain took two wickets for 43 runs.

RAJSHAHI v CHITTAGONG
A 93-run opening partnership between Kuntal Chanda and Nazim Uddin helped Chittagong to a brave draw against Rajshahi at the Shaheed Chandu Stadium in Bogra.

Resuming the day at 176-6, Rajshahi declared their second innings on 208-7, setting their opponents a 322-run target.

The two Chittagong openers then showed real determination to thwart Rajshahi's hopes of victory. Kuntal's 71 featured six boundaries while his partner Nazim Uddin was one run short of a deserved fifty.

Ehshanul Haque contributed 45 off 94 deliveries as Chittagong ended on 213-4.