Dhaka seize initiative

Dhaka thrived on half-centuries by Rashedul Huq, Sajjad Ahmed Shipon and Neeyamur Rashid to pile up a massive total against Rajshahi on the second day of their Ispahani Mirzapore Third National League at the Fatullah Cricket Stadium yesterday.

Opener Rashedul scored a dazzling 85, Shipon returned to form with a polished 62 and all-rounder Neeyamur Rashid blasted a 77-ball 72 as Dhaka rattled up 361 in their first innings before being all out 81 overs.

The holders took a commanding lead of 191 runs after they bowled Rajshahi out for 171 on Monday.

Rajshahi, in their second essay, were 10 for one at stumps.

Dhaka's day got even better with the news that Khulna, their rivals for a place in the final, had suffered a stunning collapse against Sylhet at the Dhanmondi Cricket Stadium.

Chasing a huge Sylhet first-innings score of 311, Khulna, who needed a victory to pip Dhaka to the post for a final clash with Chittagong, were shot out for 197.

Manjarul Islam with 78 was the lone Khulna batsman who showed any defiance after Sylhet's middle-order Rajin Saleh added 18 runs to his overnight 109.