In the other match, Khulna were on the verge of taking a first-innings lead against hosts Chittagong.

Rajshahi V Barisal
Overnight 94-2, Rajshahi built on their lead with opener Jahurul making a patient 139 and Nayeem Islam a faster 126 to take their total to 370-7 at stumps at the Rajshahi Divisional Stadium.

The two added 215 runs for the third wicket before Abul bashar dismissed Jahurul, who hit 18 fours and two sixes in his 305-ball vigil. Nayeem's 235-ball essay featured 17 fours and two sixes before he was scalped by Ahsanullah Hasan.

With two days to go, Rajshahi enjoy a massive 277-run lead.

Dhaka V Sylhet
Alok Kapali smashed 173 before Sylhet's pace and spin combination wrecked the home batting at the Dhanmondi Cricket Stadium.

In reply to Sylhet's 365, Dhaka slumped to 193 for eight at close of play as new ball bowler Nazmul grabbed 3-41 and left-arm spinner Nabil 4-42.

Apart from opener Uttam Sarkar (61 off 94 balls) and Marshall Ayub (38 off 96 balls), the Dhaka big guns completely lost their way when they were reduced to 20-3 after nine overs. The tail, however, kept their hopes alive to cross the 200-mark.

Earlier, Alok Kapali added 45 runs to his overnight 128 to single-handedly lead Sylhet's way to an imposing first innings total. The out-of-favour Tiger, who faced 254 balls in nearly six hours, sent the ball 21 times into the fence and whacked one six. He was the last man dismissed in the innings by Mohammed Sharif, the paceman who claimed 5-135.

Chittagong V Khulna
At the Chittagong Divisional Stadium, the hosts had their backs on the wall for the second consecutive day as Khulna reached within nine runs of posting a first-innings lead.

A collective effort saw them score 233-3 in reply to Chitta-gong's 241 with skipper Manzarul Islam, fresh from a century in the previous round, batting on 59. Nazmus sadat, sajjadul Hasan and Jamauddin all scored in their 40s.