Sabbir Rahman ended a wait of 1,338 days for a century with 113 for Rajshahi against Khulna Division in Mirpur, as the second round of the National Cricket League produced three draws and one outright result, an innings win for Chattogram over Barishal.

The Rajshahi batter had endured a long barren spell, losing his national place and struggling in domestic cricket.

On reaching three figures he sank to the turf in thanks to the Almighty, an emotional release after a drought spanning every format.

Better known as a T20 hard-hitter, Sabbir played against type, shelving his aggression to occupy the crease for 221 balls.

It was the fifth first-class century of his career, and Rajshahi needed every one of those deliveries after collapsing for 119 in the first innings.

Afterwards he explained that survival, not scoring, was the brief. “I was trying not to play shots and left a lot of deliveries,” he said, adding that with two days left, Rajshahi simply had to work out how to draw the match.

His previous hundred in any format was an unbeaten 110 for City Club in the Dhaka Premier League on March 18, 2023.

His last first-class hundred came in 2019, for Bangladesh A against Sri Lanka A at the P Sara Oval in Colombo.

Khulna had controlled the first three days, scoring 484 thanks to a century from Sheikh Mahedi Hasan, who also took two second-innings wickets and was named Player of the Match. Rajshahi’s 500 for nine secured the draw despite four wickets for Samiun Bashir Ratul.

At the Sylhet International Stadium, Ashikur Rahman Shibli’s unbeaten 101 steered Dhaka to a draw against Sylhet. Dhaka declared on 219 for six, with Taibur Rahman making 50, and Sylhet, chasing 270, closed on two for one after two overs.

Sylhet had earlier made 496, led by Ashraful Islam Riyad’s 122 and 73 from Tofayel Ahmed Raihan, with Aminul Islam Biplob taking five for 108. Marshal Ayub of Dhaka was named Player of the Match.

Chattogram were the round’s only winners, beating Barishal by an innings and one run at Cox’s Bazar. Their 576 proved decisive, with Barishal bowled out for 282 and 293, and Mohammad Ashraful Hasan taking five wickets for the winners.

Rafsan Al Mahmud’s 72 was the best Barishal could manage, while Sadikur Rahman’s century for Chattogram earned the Player of the Match award.

At the Sylhet Academy Ground, Rangpur declared on 245 for six and set Mymensingh 372, and they closed on 189 for four, with Mahfizul Islam Robin on 68 and Mohammad Al Amin Junior unbeaten on 55. Mim Mosaddek’s first-innings 157 earned the match award.