Although the opener hit an aggressive unbeaten 61 off 72 balls that included six fours and an over-boundary, his batting exploits in a curtailed 25-over affair, still failed to help Dhaka join Chittagong and Sylhet at the top of the table after four rounds.

Test cap Alok Kapali struck a fine unbeaten half-century as hosts Sylhet earned a comfortable six-wicket win against lowly Barisal. It was their second straight win in the limited-overs competition.

The game was only one not affected by the cold spell that has gripped the country.

Away at Rangpur, Akram Khan's Chittagong handed Khaled Mashud-led Rajshahi a six-wicket thrashing in a low-scoring match.

DHAKA V KHULNA

Al-Shahriar reminded selectors what he was capable of a day after the preliminary Zimbabwe tour squad was announced.

Chasing 145 for victory, the right-hander got Dhaka home with seven balls to spare with a straight-driven four off Khulna left-arm spinner Abdur Razzak Raj. Khulna should have got rid of the dangerman but skipper Habibul Bashar spilled the catch at short mid-wicket when he was batting in the 20s.

Another out-of-favour national player Sanwar Hossain made a rapid 40 off 26 balls with four boundaries and a six. He put on 58 runs for the fifth wicket with Al-Shahriar.

Earlier, Khulna relied on solid knocks by Bashar and Hasanuzza-man to make a fighting 144-5 after being asked to bat.

Bashar scored a run-a-ball 40 while his right-hander Hasan smashed a 36-ball 42, which included two consecutive sixes off Naimur Rahman.

SYLHET V BARISAL

Despite Mustadir Litu's all-round performance Barisal went down to Sylhet at the Sylhet Stadium.

Talented Alok Kapali smashed an unbeaten 63 off 90 balls as the home side scored 195 for four in 46 overs in reply to Barisal's 194 in 48.2 overs.

Kapali hit seven boundaries and two over-boundaries in his 90-ball innings. He added 72 runs for the fourth wicket with Nasirul Alam Nahid, who scored 36 off 50 balls.

Spinner Litu captured three for 36 after scoring 48 off 50 balls. He was adjudged man of the match.

Jamal Faisal was Barisal's top-scorer with 72 after they decided to bat.

CHITTAGONG V RAJSHAHI

The match Rangpur Cricket Garden was reduced to 30-overs-a-side. Rajshahi were bundled out for 109 in 28.2 overs after opting to bat.

Opener Rafiqul Islam making highest 34 off 58 balls. Masumudolla captured four wickets conceding 17 runs in 4.2 overs.

Chittagong reached the target in 27.3 overs with opening batsman Masum making 33 off 55 balls. He was adjudged man-of-the-match.

Chittagong and Sylhet jointly occupy top spot with six points while Dhaka and Rajshahi share second place having bagged four points each.

National league champions Khulna and Barisal are at the foot of the table on two points respectively.

Today's four-day match between Dhaka and Khulna will now take place tomorrow but the other fixtures go ahead as schedule.