The century-spree continued in the third round of the National Cricket League as Shadman Islam, Junaid Siddique and Myshukur Rahman each scored centuries yesterday. The trio took the total number of tons to 19 in the first three rounds of the competition.

Centuries from Myshukur and Junaid gave fourth-placed Rajshahi a good start on the first day of round yesterday after electing to bat against Alok Kapali's Sylhet at the BKSP. They reached stumps on 316 for 2 yesterday. Myshukur, who hit 21 fours, scored 158, while Junaid remained unbeaten after scoring his second consecutive century.

League leaders Dhaka got off to a brilliant start yet again as a five-wicket haul from Mosharraf Hossain Rubel helped them bowl Chittagong out for just 155 at ground number three in the BKSP. In reply, Dhaka's sturdy opening pair, Rony Talukdar and Abdul Majid put on a 112 before stumps.

Dhaka Metro rode on an unbeaten 118 from Shadman, who together with Marshall Ayub's 56 propelled Metro to 238 for 4 against Barisal by stumps at Fatullah. Shadman, who faced 264 deliveries and batted for nearly six hours, played an extremely cautious knock. He may have scored 22 fours and a six, his strike-rate though hovered around the mid-forties.

Khulna, after winning the toss and electing to field, pegged Rangpur back at Mirpur yesterday. Abdur Razzak's men bowled well to keep Rangpur to 261 for 6 by the end of the day. A number of Rangpur batsmen got starts, but failed to carry on. Opener Tarik Ahmed who faced 176 deliveries for his 63, was their highest scorer.

Scores in brief

DHAKA METRO: 238 for 4 (Shadman 118 not out, Marshall 56; Nasum 2-41, Al-Amin 1-18) v BARISAL

RANGPUR: 261 for 6 (Tarik 63, Mahmudul 46; Robiul 2-24, Mostafizur 1-22) v KHULNA

CHITTAGONG: 155 all out in 69 overs (Nazim 30; Mosharraf 5-37, Shuvagata 2-27) v DHAKA: 112 for no loss (Rony 62, Abdul 49)

RAJSHAHI: 316 for 2 (Myshukur 158, Junaid 102; Enamul 2-74) v SYLHET