Dhaka Metro were on the brink of victory in their final-round match of the National Cricket League against Chattogram after reducing them to 173-6, leading by 65 runs on Day 2 at the Shaheed Kamruzzaman Stadium in Rajshahi on Sunday.
Metro imposed a 108-run lead by scoring 268 in response to Chattogram鈥檚 160 in the first innings, courtesy of Aich Mollah鈥檚 57 and three forty-plus knocks from Naim Sheikh (42), Anisul Islam (45), and Shamsur Rahman Shuvo (42).
In the second Innings, Chattogram鈥檚 batting faltered yet again against the bowling of Abu Haider Rony (4-41) and Arif Ahmed (2-55), who grabbed two.
Nayeem Hasan and Ahmed Sharif were batting on 34 and eight runs, respectively, before the bails were drawn due to bad light.聽
With Sylhet already emerging as champions, if Metro can secure eight points from this match, they will have an unlikely chance of securing the second spot with a tally of 29 points.
Unless Dhaka Division, currently in second place with 25 points, can force a result against Barishal.
Rony Talukdar struck a ton as Dhaka posted 303-8, taking a narrow lead of 14 runs against Barishal at stumps at the Shaheed Chandu Stadium in Bogra.
Right-handed Rony faced 202 deliveries to score 112 runs, which included 16 boundaries and a six. He was the last wicket to fall on the day, caught by Sohag Gazi off a delivery by Moinul Islam.
Mojammel Hasan Shakil (2-62) scalped the most for Barishal, who are struggling at the bottom of the points table.
Earlier, half-centuries from Sohag Gazi (78) and Fazle Mahmud Rabbi (64) saw Barishal post 289 runs.
Meanwhile, the match of current third and fourth position holders Rangpur and Khulna were hit by rain at the Sheikh Abu Naser Stadium in Khulna and was rolling towards an expected draw.聽
Rain spoilt the opening day, allowing only 25 overs, while the second day saw a total of 44 overs as Khulna reached 240-7.
Opener Anamul Haque Bijoy made 90 off 142 balls, supported by skipper Mohammad Mithun鈥檚 89 in 146 balls, laced with 10 boundaries and two sixes.
Mukidul Islam Mugdho, Ariful Haque, and Nobin Islam each took two wickets apiece for Rangpur.
In another match, Rajshahi reached 70-3, leading by 84 runs against champions Sylhet at the Zahur Ahmed Chowdhury Stadium.
Meherob Hasan top-scored with 32 runs, and Habibur Rahman made 28.
Earlier, Rajshahi dismissed Sylhet for 212 runs, taking a lead of 14 runs; left-arm spinner Nihad Uz Zaman claimed 4-61.
