Out-of-favour national player Abdur Razzak notched the best bowling figure in an innings in the National Cricket League (NCL) as Khulna managed a handsome first innings lead against Chittagong on the second day of the third-round matches at the Shaheed Chandu Stadium in Bogra yesterday.

The veteran left-arm spinner, who was ignored for the first Test against the visiting West Indies, bagged nine wickets for 84 runs in 32.3 overs to eclipse the previous best figures of 9-105 by another left-arm spinner Mosharraf Hossain in the 2004-2005 season.

“It was my best bowling figure, so I'm really excited. I am happy that I achieved the feat on a solid batting track and there was nothing on the pitch for the spinners. I always try to give my hundred percent no matter where I'm playing and that's the reason I'm also not thinking about

the Test call,” Razzak, whose earlier best was 8-123, told the Daily Star Sport over phone.

In Razzak's day, two batsmen in Rajin Saleh and Alok Kapali came up with hundreds to put Sylhet on the driving seat against Dhaka at the Sylhet Divisional Stadium.

At the Rangpur Cricket Garden, Rajshahi took a first innings lead against the home team while Barisal managed a one-run first innings lead against Dhaka Metro, who ended the day on a happy note by taking five Barisal wickets in the second innings for 28 runs at the MA Aziz Stadium in Chittagong

KHULNA VS CHITTAGONG

In reply to Khulna's mammoth total of 416, Chittagong made a confident start through a 66-run opening partnership between Mahbubul Karim (41) and Nafislqbal (54). Aftab Ahmed (49) and Faisal Hossain (92) then

FROM PAGE 16 contributed in the middle but it was Razzak's day, the veteran making sure that Khulna took a 109-run first innings lead. Pacer Robiul Islam took the other wicket in the Chittagong innings.

Khulna made 13 runs in their second innings without any loss before stumps were drawn for the day to extend their lead to 22 runs. SYLHETVS DHAKA

Rajin Saleh and Alok Kapali associated 240 runs for the fourth wicket to ensure a huge 306-run first innings lead for Sylhet. Rajin hit 132 off 277 balls with 17 boundaries and two sixes while Kapali made 133 off 235 balls with the help of 16 boundaries and two sixes.

Dhaka trailed by 268 runs at stumps as reached 38 runs in their second innings without any damage. RAJSHAHIVS RANGPUR Tailenders Tarik Ahmed (44) and Alauddin Babu (48) avoided the blushes for Rangpur who were bundled out for 171 runs in reply to Rajshahi's 232 runs.

Rajshahi however extended their lead to 138 runs as they scored 77 runs for two wickets before stumps were drawn for the day.

BARISAL VS DHAKA METRO Left-handed batsman Mehrab Hossain batted brilliantly during his unbeaten runs from 188 balls with ten boundaries while number eight batsman Suleman Khan played a vital knock of 64 as Dhaka Metro scored 241 runs in their first innings, one run short of their opponent's first innings score.

Left-arm paceman Syed Rasel was the most successful bowler picking up four wickets.

Barisal finished the day with a 29-run lead but it was Dhaka Metro who left the field smiling as they inflicted a batting collapse on their opponents in the second innings claiming five wickets for 28 runs. Mohammad Ashraful, who has been struggling with his batting, took two wickets.

SCORES IN BRIEF

BARISAL: First innings 242 and Second innings 28-5 in 12.4 overs

(Rabbi 15; Ashraful 2-0)

DHAKA METRO: First innings 241 all out in 82.2 overs (Arman 43, Mehrab 81 not out, Ashraful 11, Suleman 64, extras 10; Rasel 4-31, Kamrul 2-64, Monir2-47)

DHAKA: First innings 84 all out in 32.1 overs and second innings 38-0 in 14 overs (Ali 20notout,Majidl7 not out). SYLHET: First innings 390 all out in 118 overs (Rajin 132, Kapali 133, extras 13; Sharif 4-94, Mosharraf 2-103,Apu3-44)

KHULNA: First innings 416 all out in 87.3 overs and Second innings 13-0 in 5 overs.

CHITTAGONG: First innings 307 all out in 78.3 overs (Karim 41, Nafis 54, Aftab 49, Faisal 92, extras 15; Razzak 9-84, Robiul 1-54)

RAJSHAHI: First Innings 232 and Second innings 77-2 in 34 overs (Myshukur 21, Jahurul 40 not out, Forhad 3 not out, extras 7; Shuvashis 1-20, Sajedull-14)

RANGPUR: First Innings 171 all out in 57.1 overs (Tarik 44, Babu 48, Sajedul 27, extras 12; Shafiul 2-27, Forhad 2-21, Saqlain 2-54, Sanjamul 3-35)