Spinners continued to dominate on the third day of the first round of the National Cricket League while the Tier-1 match between Sylhet and Dhaka came to a speedy end, with the latter winning by seven runs at the Sylhet Academy Ground yesterday.

Dhaka started the day needing only 18 runs to secure victory and Saif Hassan's side chased the target in just 2.5 overs. However, the foundation for Dhaka's victory was established by left-armer Nazmul Islam Apu, who scalped 10 wickets in the match.

Spinners continued to shine elsewhere as well, with Dhaka Metro spinner Md Sharifullah picking a fifer against Barishal in a Tier-2 clash at the Cox's Bazar Academy Ground. The veteran gave away just 34 runs in his 23-over spell while his bowling ally Shohidul Islam scalped four for 41 runs.

The second day's play was called off due to inclement weather and Barishal started the third day with the six runs they had accrued at the end of day one. Fazle Mahmud Rabbi's team then managed to reach 241 before being bowled out. Dhaka Metro ended the third day with 25 runs on the board in their second essay, giving them a lead of 23 runs.

Another demonstration of spin-bowling mastery was on display at the Zahur Ahmed Chowdhury Stadium, where Chattogram's Nayeem Hasan plucked four wickets and Mehedi Hasan Rana bagged three against Rajshahi in a Tier-2 encounter.

Rajshahi's middle-order batter Towhid Hridoy played a decent knock of 68 runs off 148 balls striking 10 fours before they were bowled out for 259, setting a meagre 77-run target.

However, Mominul Haque's Chattogram lost two early wickets to Sunzamul Islam and Towhid Hridoy and were on 15 for two when stumps were drawn. The hosts' skipper and Yasir Ali Chowdhury, who scored a ton in the first innings, are yet to bat.

Meanwhile, Rangpur's veteran spinner Sohrawardy Shuvo, who plucked three wickets on day two, collected three more against Khulna in the Tier-1 encounter at the Sylhet International Cricket Stadium. The left-armer bowled 35.3 overs in the innings, featuring seven maidens and 165 dots. 

Khulna opener Anamul Haque Bijoy, who resumed on 72, added just 12 runs before falling prey to Shuvo, and his side were bowled out for 260 in their first innings.

Coming in for their second innings, Rangpur were at 42 for no loss, giving them a 39-run lead.