Rajshahi's first ever crown in national level cricket was assured after Sylhet's match against Khulna had to be abandoned with a ball being bowled due to unplayable conditions.

Outgoing one-day champions Chittagong, who have had a wretched season in both versions, tasted only their second win defeating Dhaka in an away match.

Rajshahi, having lost their opening fixture, turned out to be an invincible one-day unit by winning eight matches in a row and take an unassailable lead in the six-team table with 16 points. With just one more round left, second-placed Sylhet are three points behind after sharing points with Khulna.

The teams will change their focus to the longer version from today and Rajshahi, who are ten points adrift of leaders Dhaka, have an outside chance to win a rare double. But to topple Dhaka, Rajshahi need outright victories in both games and keep their fingers crossed for Dhaka's defeat.

Defending champions Dhaka are just four points away from winning their third first-class title.

BARISAL-RAJSHAHI
Visiting Rajshahi were surprisingly put into bat by the home side and an 80-run opening stand between Moniruzzaman and Rakibul Hassan inspired them to amass an imposing 280-9 in the stipulated 50 overs.

Moniruzzaman smashed an explosive 49 off just 37 balls with eight hits to the fence while young Rakibul made 40 off 45 balls during the 11.4-over partnership.

Anisur Rahman Sanchay, who rediscovered his form at the end of the competition, top-scored with 75 but seasoned all-rounder Mushfiqur stole the show with a sparkling performance.

Anisur, who cracked seven fours and one six in 90 deliveries, put on 93 runs with Mushfiq (48 off 87 balls) who later captured four wickets for 33 to destroy Barisal for only 140 in 40.5 overs and earn the man-of-the-match award.

Bottom-of-the-table Barisal got off to a pathetic start as they crashed to 38-6 by the 15th over and they never recovered.

CHITTAGONG-DHAKA
At the Fatullah Stadium, a cool 90 off 121 balls by Gazi Salahuddin and a captain's knock of 61 not out by Sabbir Khan throttled Chittagong to a four-wicket victory against hosts Dhaka.

Opener Salahuddin, who lost partners at regular intervals, shared 112 runs with Sabbir after they were reduced to 71-5 while chasing a moderate 194-run target. Man-of-the-match Salahuddin was the last out after cracking 11 fours and a six but Sabbir's 94-ball essay featuring with three fours and as many sixes guided Chittagong to 197-6 with nearly seven overs remaining.

Earlier, most of the Dhaka batters failed to convert good starts into big scores which saw them close on 193-9 after electing to bat.

Ahsanullah Hassan was the pick of the visiting bowlers, the left-arm spinner grabbing 4-36 from ten overs.