Long day ahead for Rajshahi

Rajshahi fought back on the third day of their second phase National Cricket League match against Sylhet at the Shaheed Kamruzzaman Stadium yesterday.
The hosts now require a further 233 runs to win after bowling out Sylhet for just 157 runs in the second innings. Rajshahi had earlier made 237 in their first innings.
At the Shaheed Chandu Stadium in Bogra, the Barisal-Dhaka encounter is meandering towards a draw as Barisal took a 330-run lead after bowling out Dhaka for 223 in the first innings.
RAJSHAHI-SYLHET
Rajshahi added 25 runs to their overnight 212-7 before being bowled out for 237 runs. Sylhet, who have already drawn all their previous NCL four-dayers, went for the same approach but were halted by Taijul Islam, who picked up four wickets for 49 runs.
The left-arm spinner picked up the first three batsmen -- Imtiaz Hossain, Saikat Ali and Golam Mabud -- before adding Ijaz Ahmed in the final session of play. Off-spinners Farhad Hossain and Nayeem Islam Jr took three and two wickets respectively as the Rajin Saleh-led rearguard action failed.
Chasing 237 for an outright win, Rajshahi however lost opener Avishek Mitra for four before stumps were drawn by the umpires.
For Sylhet, paceman Abu Zayed Rahi took four wickets in the first innings while left-arm spinners Nabil Samad and Nasum Ahmed had two and three wickets respectively.
DHAKA-BARISAL
Nasiruddin Faruq hammered 80 off 82 balls in the final session of the day before rain interrupted the Barisal second innings late in the day.
The left-handed Faruq crunched nine boundaries during his knock but Barisal lost one of their first innings centurions -- Iftekhar Nayeem -- for just one. Shahin Hossain was unbeaten on 21 with Faruq as they made 115-2 in the second innings.
Earlier in the day, Dhaka were bowled out for 223 runs in 85.1 overs with their tail wagging to give their total some semblance of decency.
Resuming the day on 50-3, Dhaka were 91 for seven at one stage. But Mosharraf Hossain Rubel and Mohammad Sharif added 67 for the eighth wicket. The duo already have the season's highest partnership under their belt, a 236-run ninth wicket stand against Rajshahi on March 28.
Yesterday, Rubel made 68 off 134 balls with the help of eight boundaries and two sixes while Sharif contributed with 26. Mahbubul Alam Robin too batted out 61 balls, striking three boundaries on his way to making 27.
Off-spinner Sohag Gazi took four wickets while paceman Towhidul had three.
BRIEF SCORES
BARISAL: First innings 438 all out and second innings 115-2 in 34 overs (Faruq 80; Robin 2-36).
DHAKA: First innings 223 all out in 85.1 overs (Rubel 68, Robin 27; Sohag 4-70, Towhidul 3-38).
SYLHET: First innings 316 all out and second innings 157 all out in 75.5 overs (Saikat 27, Rajin 25; Taijul 4-49, Farhad 3-15).
RAJSHAHI: First innings 237 all out (Avishek 60, Anisur 58; Rahi 4-57, Nasum 3-74) and second innings 4-1 in 2 overs (Avishek 4; Rahi 1-4).