With Bangladesh set to commence their new cycle of the World Test Championship (WTC) later this month through the two home Tests against Pakistan, the ongoing National Cricket League (NCL) was supposed to help the cricketers, especially the national Test players, get into the groove in the longer version.

And Test skipper Mominul Haque, who is also leading Chattogram Division in the NCL, smashed a ton against Dhaka Metropolis in Savar yesterday. The commanding 141-ball 103, laced with 11 boundaries, is ought to give the left-hander much-needed confidence and hopes for helping Bangladesh fare better in the next cycle of the (WTC) after finishing the previous season at the bottom of the table with no wins from seven games.

Aside from Mominul, young right-handed batter Mahmudul Hasan Joy also scored a century as Chattogram finished the day in a dominating position with 316 for four after electing to bat.

However, Mahmudul, unlike skipper Mominul, was a bit more cautious, scoring 112 off 195 deliveries with nine boundaries.

The duo of Mahmudul and Mominul strung together a 208-run third-wicket stand after Chattogram openers -- Parvez Hossain Emon (44 off 96) and Pinak Ghosh (43 off 83) -- had provided their side with a convincing start.

However, Dhaka Metro got some momentum back in the latter part of the day as Abu Hider and Rakibul Hasan removed Mominul and Mahmudul respectively in successive overs just a few overs before umpires called stumps.

Mominul and Mahmudul were not the only centurions on the day as Sohag Gazi's blistering ton helped Barishal Division amass 360 for seven against Rajshahi Division at the Sheikh Kamal International Cricket Stadium Academy Ground in Cox's Bazar.  Gazi, known for his quick run-scoring abilities in the domestic circuit, tore apart the Rajshahi bowling line-up as he smashed a total of 10 maximums and five boundaries during his fiery 95-ball 113. And Shamsul Islam's unbeaten 56 and fifties from Mohammad Ashraful (50 off 108) and Fazle Mahmud (70 off 59) at the top meant Barishal ended with a commendable total on the board.

Meanwhile, at the Sylhet International Cricket Stadium Academy Ground, unbeaten fifties from Nahidul Islam and Mehedi Hasan Miraz helped Khulna Division recover from an early slump to score 231 for six against Dhaka Division before stumps. Nahidul remained unbeaten on 77 while Miraz scored 51 not out. For Dhaka, spinner Namul Islam and pacer Anamul Haque scalped two wickets each.

In the other game in Sylhet, pacer Robiul Haque scalped four while Mukidul Islam and spinner Sohrawordi Shuvo took three wickets each to help Rangpur Division bundle out Sylhet Division for a meagre 113 in just 51 overs.

Rangpur openers Myshukur Rahaman and Jahid Javed scored unbeaten 46 and 29 respectively, helping their side end the day with 82 for no loss.