When Rajshahi sailed past Sylhet by seven wickets in a low-scoring match at the Shaheed Chandu Stadium in Bogra, Dhaka secured a 21-run victory over Chittagong defending a huge 272 at the Dhanmondi Cricket Stadium.

Away at the Khulna Divisional Stadium, the hosts won their first limited-overs game after two away defeats despite missing their inspirational captain Habibul Bashar. They thrashed a pointless Barisal by 68 runs.

After the end of the third round, Dhaka and Rajshahi lead the six-team one-day table with maximum six points while Sylhet, Khulna and Chittagong followed them with two points each.

The teams will now play the four-day matches from today at the same venues.

DHAKA-CHITTAGONG
Wicketkeeper Sajjad Kadir and Mosharraf Hossain led a spectacular recovery operation after a stunning top-order collapse saw the star-studded Dhaka reeling at 139-7 in 27.4 overs.

The pair added 124 run for the eighth wicket to eventually take the match away from the firm grip of Chittagong.

Back in action after serving a one-round ban, Sajjad struck an unbeaten 70-ball 64 that contained six fours and a six.

Mosharraf, who also missed the last round due to commitments with the HP Squad, smashed 57 off 73 balls with seven boundaries.

Mohammad Rafique, who was later adjudged man of the match, was the other notable scorer with 32 from 25 balls that featured two fours and as many sixes.

Chittagong also got off to a jumpy start losing both openers Nafees Iqbal (4) and Gazi Salah-uddin (19) for 29 runs in 10.1 overs.

Seasoned campaigner Faisal Hossain brightened Chittagong's hopes of a turnaround with an unbeaten 62. But the visitors desperately missed a crisis-man like Akram Khan, who won a lot of battles for the port city.

Besides, two in-form batsmen Aftab Ahmed and Waseluddin did not feature in the vital match. Aftab missed the game due to fever while Wasel was nursing a knee injury.

Number nine batsman Ahsanullah Hasan was the second highest scorer with 31-ball 41 as Chittagong finished their chase on 251-8 in 50 overs.

Excellent fielding played a big part in Dhaka's early success. Opener Nafees Iqbal fell victim of a direct hit by Mosharraf from mid-wicket. Arafat Sunny ran back 20 yard to take stunning catch at deep square-leg while Anwar Hossain hold on a low catch at mid-wicket.

Ace left-arm spinner Moha-mmad Rafique was the most successful Dhaka bowler with 3-50 in 10 overs.

RAJSHAHI-SYLHET
Farhad Hossain hit an unbeaten 89 as Rajshahi brought a high-flying Sylhet down to the earth after their double delight against Chittagong in the previous round.

The opener shared an unbroken 132-run fourth wicket with Naeem Islam (48 off 97 balls) as Rajshahi raced to 166-3 in 44.3 overs.

Farhad hammered ten fours and a six in his 146-ball innings. He was later adjudged man of the match.

Earlier, Kamrul Hasan picked up four wickets to destroy Sylhet for 162 in 45 overs.

Moniruzzaman top scored with 48 off 85 balls while Alok Kapali made 39 from 48 deliveries that featured six fours.

KHULNA-BARISAL
Stand-in Khulna skipper Manjarul Islam Rana led from front in absence of Bashar, who was nursing a minor elbow injury, with an unbeaten 76 as Khulna scored a fighting 184-8 in 50 overs after recovering from a 62-6.

The left-hander got good support from wicketkeeper Mohammad Salim to share 93 runs for the seventh wicket. Manjarul clobbered five boundaries and two sixes in 108-ball essay while Salim added 43 off 55 balls with five hits to the fence.

In reply, Barisal were bundled out for 116 in 44.5 overs with Nasiruddin Faruque making the team highest 27.

Left-arm paceman Monjurul Islam picked up three wickets for 20 in 10 overs for Khulna.