Marshall, Imtiaz hit tons

Dhaka Metro's Marshall Ayub scored a fighting century while Sylhet's Imtiaz Hossain struck an equally gritty ton on an eventful third day of the National Cricket League yesterday. But despite their valiant efforts both Metro, who failed to avoid the follow-on mark, and Sylhet, still struggling to get anywhere near Barisal's massive score, will be fighting to save the game on the fourth and final day today.

The third day witnessed some brilliant performers with the ball also. Dhaka's Mosharraf Hossain took a six-wicket haul against Rangpur in Bogra while Bangladesh under-19 captain Mehedi Hasan Miraz followed his half-century with a six-wicket haul for Khulna in Mirpur.

Having lost four quick wickets on Day Two, Metro seemed to be in trouble against Khulna, who were defending an impressive 455. However, Marshall's 107 and a fighting 66 from Sharifullah ensured Metro post 271 before being bundled out.

Khulna still have a chance to win the game while Metro will be hoping to survive the 90 overs.

At Bogra, Dhaka's spinners bundled Rangpur out for just 248 in the first innings and forced them to a follow-on. At the end of the day, Rangpur were reeling at 55 for 3 with their key batsmen, Nasir Hossain and Liton Das, already back in the pavilion.

Barisal's charge to force a result at the Sheikh Abu Naser Stadium in Khulna faced a stubborn resistance from Sylhet's Imtiaz. After Mosaddek Hossain's double century propelled Barisal to 527, Sylhet replied with 363 for 7, courtesy of Imtiaz's 127.

The most exciting game of the round, though, is taking place at the Sheikh Kamruzzaman Stadium in Rajshahi. After conceding a first innings lead, Rajshahi did well to bundle Chittagong out for just 181 in the second innings. Slow left-armers Sanjamul Islam and Taijul Islam took three wickets each. Yasir Ali and Irfan Sukkur scored half-centuries for the port city team.

Rajshahi's openers remained unbeaten with a 98-run stand and they require another 159 runs to win on the fourth day. 

SCORES IN BRIEF 

KHULNA V DHAKA METRO
KHULNA: 455 
DHAKA METRO: 271 all out in 95.3 overs (Marshall 107, Sharifullah 66 not out; Mehedi 6 for 61) 

DHAKA V RANGPUR
DHAKA: 449 
RANGPUR: 248 all out in 98.1 overs (Nasir 73, Liton 51; Mosharraf 6-82, Shuvagata 3-46) and 55 for 3 (Saymon 21; Mosharraf 2-21) 

BARISAL V SYLHET 
BARISAL: 527 for 9 dec 
Sylhet: 363 for 7 (Imtiaz 127, Zakir 89, Rajin 55 not out; Shohag 3-75, Mosaddek 1-36) 

CHITTAGONG V RAJSHAHI 
CHITTAGONG: 383 and 181 all out in 67.2 overs (Yasir 61, Irfan 55; Sanjamul 3-39, Taijul 3-72) 
RAJSHAHI: 308 and 98 for no loss (Junaid 53 not out, Nazmul 45 not out)