Chittagong opener Masumuddowla sets off for a run during his century against Dhaka on the third day of the National Cricket League match at the Chittagong Divisional Stadium yesterday.Photo: STAR

Rajshahi are eight wickets away from snatching Khulna's top spot as they dominated Day Three of their ninth round match in the 9th National Cricket League at the Rajshahi Divisional Stadium yesterday.
Khulna, set 322 for victory, were 56-2 after Rajshahi put up 284-10 in their second innings.
Chittagong lost only one wicket as they moved from 26-3 overnight to 259-4 in a retort to Dhaka. They now lead by 41 runs after having conceded a 218-run first innings deficit at the Chittagong Divisional Stadium.
At the Shaheed Chandu Stadium in Bogra, Sylhet must survive the final day after Barisal amassed 383-5 declared. They were 4 for two.
RAJSHAHI-KHULNA
From an uncomfortable 62-2 overnight, Rajshahi slowly moved out of danger through, first, a solid 61 from opener Jahurul Islam.
The lanky right-handed batsman, who was unbeaten on 39, struck eight boundaries and a six in his two-hour knock.
After his dismissal to five-wicket bowler Ziaur Rahman, it was the turn of captain Khaled Mashud to hold the baton and then a spirited effort from Anisur Rahman, who scored 64 off 82 balls with the help of five boundaries and two sixes.
Apart from Ziaur's 5-39, Rabiul Islam and Murad Khan took two wickets each.
Khulna faltered as they started their chase of 322 runs, losing two wickets before Imrul Kayes and Mostafizur Rahman steadied the ship to end the day without further damages.
BARISAL-SYLHET
Middle-order batsman Abul Bashar struck an unbeaten 82 and Nasiruddin Faruque and captain Imran Ahmed struck 70s as Barisal took a huge 200-run first innings lead.
Bashar, regarded one of the best fielders in the country, struck six boundaries and two sixes. Faruque, who opened for Barisal, hit 77 off 186 balls while Imran was not out on 70 when he declared the innings.
Sylhet lost two wickets for four runs in their second innings.
CHITTAGONG-DHAKA
Experienced Chittagong opener Masumuddowla, with Nazimuddin and captain Ehsanul Haq staved off Dhaka during the third day.
Right-hander Masum, unbeaten on 14 overnight, played 307 deliveries to reach his first hundred of the season with 12 boundaries.
Left-arm spinner Arafat Sunny took the only wicket of the day when he removed Nazimuddin for 80 to end a 140-run fourth wicket stand with Masum. The in-form batsman also hit 12 fours in his two and half hours stay at the wicket.
Ehsanul and Masum also added 99 for the unbroken fifth wicket as the Chittagong skipper struck a half-century.
BRIEF SCORES
RAJSHAHI: First innings 188 all out and second innings 284 all out in 90.4 overs (Jahurul 61, Shakil 14, Farhad 4, Saqlain 8, Rafiqul 28, Mashud 48, Naeem 0, Mushfiqur 10, Anisur 64*, Delwar 18, Shafiul 7; Ziaur 5-39, Robiul 2-63, Murad 2-67).
KHULNA: First innings 151-9 dec and second innings 56-2 in 15 overs (Nazmus 24, Imrul 19*, Murad 0, Mostafiz 3*; Farhad 1-11, Saqlain 1-14).
CHITTAGONG: First innings 98 all out and second innings 259-4 in 104 overs (Masum 100*, Mahbubul 4, Mazhar 1, Yasin 1, Nazimuddin 80, Ehsanul 50*; Arafat 2-49, Mosharraf 1-66).
DHAKA: First innings 316 all out.
SYLHET: First innings 183 all out and second innings 4-2 in 6 overs (Imtiaz 1*, Rahman 3, Sadiqur 0, Nabil 0*; Arafat 2-3).
BARISAL: First innings 383-5 dec in 104 overs (Humayun 0, Hannan 70, Faruque 77, Rokibul 36, Imran 70, Bashar 82*, Raisul 16; Alok 2-97, Imtiaz 1-19, Nabil 1-62, Rashedur 1-76).