Junaid, Farhad help Rajshahi chase down 385

Rajshahi Division reached the third-highest successful chase in Bangladesh's first-class cricket, overcoming a target of 385 by eight wickets against Chittagong Division at the Zahur Ahmed Chowdhury Stadium.

Unbeaten centuries from Junaid Siddique and Farhad Hossain helped set up the victory, as they chased down the target in 65.2 overs, with a run rate of 5.92. The pace was set by openers Myshukur Rahaman and Mizanur Rahman who added 143 runs together. Both fell in the eighties before Junaid and Farhad added 199 runs for the unbroken third-wicket partnership.

Farhad's unbeaten 113, his 14th first-class hundred, came off just 77 balls and included nine fours and five sixes. Junaid's 10th ton included three fours and two sixes as he was not out on 104 off 97 balls.

Chittagong had set up the formidable target after declaring their second innings on 299 for 3, with Tasamul Haque and Yasir Ali hitting unbeaten centuries. Tasamul scored his second hundred of the match, having hit 104 in Chittagong's first innings, in which the team scored 315. Saqlain Sajib dismissed five Chittagong batsmen in the first innings.

Rajshahi were bowled out for 230 runs in their first innings, conceding an 85-run deficit.

Dhaka Metropolis' 452 against Bangladesh Biman in 2000-01 is the highest successful chase in Bangladesh's first-class history, while Khulna Division's 391 against Sylhet Division in the 2002-03 season is the second-highest. Both matches were played at the Dhanmondi Cricket Stadium.

Despite Rajshahi's dominant chase, however, it was Rangpur Division who finished at the top of Tier-2 at the end of this round with a ten-wicket win over the home side, Sylhet Division.

Batting first, Sylhet were bowled out for 272 with Jaker Ali's 88 the top score. Suhrawadi Shuvo took three wickets.

In reply, Nasir Hossain's maiden double-hundred helped Rangpur take a 126-run lead after they declared on 398 for 9. Nasir's 201 included 24 boundaries and three sixes, and he rescued Rangpur from a position of 18 for 3, adding fifty-plus stands for the fifth, sixth and seventh wickets. The highest partnership of the match was 146 runs for the seventh wicket between Shuvo, who scored 78 in the innings, and Nasir.

For Sylhet, Abu Jayed took five wickets while Khaled Ahmed finished with four wickets. Sylhet's second innings lasted only 58.4 overs as they were bowled out for 150 runs, leaving Rangpur with a target of 25, which the winning side knocked off in 2.3 overs.

Khulna Division consolidated their position at the top of Tier-1 with a drawn game against Dhaka Division at the Fatullah Cricket Stadium.

Batting first, Dhaka were powered by centuries from Saif Hassan and Raqibul Hasan as they posted 366 runs. Veteran left-arm spinner Abdur Razzak took five wickets.

Tushar Imran struck his second successive century of the tournament but his 141 could not give Khulna the lead, as they fell short by 14 runs. Seamer Dewan Sabbir took five wickets.

After Dhaka declared their second innings at 278 for 8, the game meandered to a draw as Khulna reached 92 for 3 in pursuit of 303.

The game between Dhaka Metropolis and Barisal Division was also drawn. Put in to bat at the BKSP-3 ground in Savar, Dhaka Metro were bowled out for 292 runs with left-arm spinner Monir Hossain taking five wickets. Mehedi Maruf and Mehrab Hossain jnr struck fifties for Dhaka Metro.

Barisal were bowled out for 280 in reply, giving Dhaka Metro a lead of 12. Al Amin made 89 while Salman Hossain chipped in with 55. Abu Hider and Elias Sunny took four wickets each.

Monir and Sohag Gazi then took three wickets each as Dhaka Metro were bowled for 223 in the second innings with Marshall Ayub making 54.

Khulna, needing 236, reached 171 for 6 at close of play, with Al Amin making a second half-century in the game. Hider and Sunny were again among the wickets, taking three and two respectively.