Chittagong forced Rajshahi to follow-on while Khulna took a substantial first innings lead against Barisal in the Ispahani Mirzapore Tea Fourth National Cricket League yesterday.

On second day of the four-day matches, Chittagong left-arm spinner Ahsanullah grabbed five wickets as Rajshahi were bowled out for 154 in their first innings in reply to the port city side's 343.

Needing 189 runs to make Chittagong bat again, Rajshahi were reeling at 48 for three after 16 overs when stumps were drawn for the day at the Fatullah Cricket Stadium.

Ahsanullah conceded only 29 runs for his scalps in 13 overs.

Ahsanullah was provided with able support by captain and off-spinner Sabbir Khan who took three wickets for 34 while Aftab grabbed the remaining two.

Opener Jahurul Islam scored highest 51 runs and was followed by Rafiqul who added 39.

While Ahsanullah was the wrecker-in-chief in the first innings, it was right-arm seamer Ashiqur Rahman who ripped through the second and took all the three wickets from his 5 expensive overs. He gave away 30 runs.

With seven wickets in hand, Rajshahi still require another 141 runs to avoid an innings defeat.

Earlier, Chittagong played only 7 overs in the morning and added another 41 runs to their overnight score of 302 for six losing only one more wicket.

Middle-order Azam Iqbal, who started the day on 109, remained not out on 130.

At the Dhanmondi Cricket Stadium, Khulna, riding on fine halfcenturies from Raju Parvez, Sajjadul Hasan and captain Hasanuzzaman, scored 346 for five in 94 overs by stumps in reply to Barisal's first innings of 241.

Middle-order Raju made 84, opener Sajjad added 75 and Hasanuzzaman added 55 to help Khulna take a 105-run lead with two days to go.