The first change home bowler hogged the spotlight on the second day, grabbing five wickets for only six runs in ten overs as Khulna, resuming the on two for one in reply to Dhaka's first innings total of 224, were shot out for only 67 and were forced to follow-on.

The four-day champions Khulna were 150 for four in their second effort at stumps, still seven runs behind to make the hosts bat again.

While Ashraful devastated with the new ball on a relatively better condition than a chilly Sunday, his illustrious mates right-arm paceman Neeyamur Rashid and off-spinner Naimur Rahman took two wickets each.

For Khulna only one-down Tamim Bashir (13) and number seven batsman Salauddin (21) could reach double figures. They also started their second innings disastrously with two wickets falling for 47 runs before a promoted Salauddin batted with some responsibility to make 55 while Asadullah Khan scored 33. Together they added 76 runs for the fourth wicket.

BARISAL V SYLHET

Away at the Sylhet Stadium, Barisal were also fighting to avoid an innings defeat against the home side.

On the penultimate day the visitors, who scored only 130 in the first innings, were on 208 for seven in their second innings needing another 25 runs to force Sylhet bat again. The home team scored a massive first-innings total of 355.

Twohid Hossain fought gamely for Barisal with a gutsy 63 after batting for more than three hours. Opener Imran and experienced left-arm spinner Mustadir Litu contributed 40 and 23 respectively in a better second-innings effort.

Nabil Ahmed, who took three wickets in the first innings, was again the most successful Sylhet bowler with another three for 56 runs.

RAJSHAHI V CHITTAGONG

In Rangpur, Rajshahi took a 71-run first innings lead against Chittagong on the third day.

Resuming on ten without loss, the home side scored 175 before being all out in 76.1 overs with middle-order batsman Anisur Rahman hammering highest 50 with eight boundaries.

Off-spinner Sabbir Khan led the Chittagong attack to finish with six for 72 from his 37 overs.

Chittagong, who scored only 104 in their first innings, were again in trouble at 26-3 at close. The port city outfit still needs 45 runs to wipe the deficit.

Rajshahi's left-arm spinner Saifullah Khan took all the wickets that fell conceding only three runs in as many overs.

Opener Anisul Hakim was batting for Chittagong on 20.