Dhaka fail to shine

League leaders and reigning champions Dhaka are heading towards their first defeat of the competition as they were bundled out for 202 in their first innings and were asked to follow-on on the third day of the fourth round yesterday. Furthermore, they lost three quick wickets in their second innings and finished the day in Fatullah at 83 for 3.

None of Dhaka's stars managed to perform in this round of the league. The likes of Abdul Majid and Rony Talukdar who scored series of centuries in the last few rounds failed to get their sides good starts. Dhaka will now hope that their middle order can salvage a draw on the final day.

While Dhaka will face a tough time to achieve a draw, the match at the BKSP between Rangpur and Barisal can expect no other result as Barisal revived themselves from 62 for 2 to finish the day on 416 for 4. Young Mosaddek Hossain remained unbeaten on 125 while Al-Amin scored 96. Fazle Rabbi (85) and Shajib (60) also boosted their side with their respective half-centuries.

At ground number 2 at the BKSP Chittagong had recovered well from their overnight score of 98 for 5 to post 274 in their first innings. Tasamul Haque led their batting with a fine 131. That however did not prevent them from following on. They finished the day on 126 for 3 and if they can show the same spirit on the final day they might just achieve a draw.

A similar scenario was witnessed at the Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium at Mirpur where Khulna after putting up 560 in the first innings, bowled Rajshahi out for 225. Left-arm pacer Mustafizur Rahman scalped four wickets and was the key destroyer. After following on, Rajshahi finished the day on 61 for 2. 

Scores in brief

SYLHET: 500 v
DHAKA: 202 all out in 62.5 overs (Abdul 87; Enamul 3-48, Abu 3-54) and 83 for 3 (Rony 41; Rahatul 3-30)

RANGPUR: 518 for 9 dec v
BARISAL: 416 for 4 (Mosaddek 125 not out, Al-Amin 96 not out; Sanjit 2-29)

DHAKA METRO: 496 v
CHITTAGONG: 274 all out in 97 overs (Tasamul 131; Elias 5-80) and 126 for 3 (Yasir 59; Shahid 1-28)  

KHULNA: 560 for 6 dec v
RAJSHAHI: 225 all out in 89.3 overs (Forhad 55, Tareq 52; Mustafizur 4-41, Ziaur 2-13) and 61 for 2 (Myshukur 23; Ziaur 1-10)