Sylhet, Khulna, Chattogram and Dhaka Metro found themselves in strong positions in their respective fourth round matches of the ongoing National Cricket League after the end of the second day’s play on Monday.

Sylhet, which resumed on 79-2, scored 265 runs against Dhaka Division to take a 142-run lead in the first innings after Sayem Alam made the highest 78 runs while Zakir Hasan and Jaker Ali scored 67 runs each in their tier-1 contest in Sylhet.

Dhaka finished the day at 22-1 as they are still trailing Sylhet by 120 runs.

Khulna extended their lead to 56 runs after they made 21-1 in their second innings at stumps of the second day’s play in the other tier-1 game in Sylhet.

Earlier, Khulna, which failed to add any run to their overnight first innings score of 257 runs, bowled out Rangpur Division for 222 runs in their first innings to get a 35-run lead.

Khulna’s Mrittunjoy Chowdhury (5-62) and Mehidy Hasan (4-74) shared nine wickets between them while Ariful Haque made the highest 66 runs for Rangpur.

Mahmudul Hasan Joy struck his second hundred in the ongoing NCL as he made 121 off 211 balls while skipper Mominul Haque (81) and Shahadat Hossain (63 not out) also scored fifties as Chattogram made 364-4 against Barishal at stumps of day two at the BKSP.

Meanwhile, in the other tier-2 match, Dhaka Metro took a 121-run lead over Rajshahi after they finished the day on 353-6 after resuming on 53-2 at the BKSP.

Shamsur Rahman top scored with 89 runs while Aminul Islam (65 not out), Shadman Islam (62) and Abu Hider (56 not out) also scored fifties in Metro innings.