Ton-up Mushfiq halts North collapse
South Zone keep domination over East
Sports Reporter
Mushfiqur Rahim hit a valiant century but his side BCB North Zone failed to put them in commanding position against Walton Central Zone on day three of the fourth round game of the Bangladesh Cricket League (BCL) yesterday at Shaheed Chandu Stadium in Bogura.
North Zone ended the day on 286 for seven, trailing by 243 runs but with just one day remaining of the game, it is believed to destine towards a draw unless Central Zone bowlers come up with any magic.
Mushfiqur who was not out on 101 off 199, smashing seven fours and one six remained the only barrier for Central Zone. Mushfiqurs solo battle indeed kept North Zone to the game as the other batsmen failed to make any impact after Walton Central Zone put up 529 in its first innings.
Barring Mushfiqur, no batsman from North Zone hit even a half-century. Nazmul Hossain Shantos 45 was the next best while No. 7 batsman Ariful Haque made 42. Coming off a blockbuster Dhaka Premier League, in which, he became the highest run-getter, expectation was high on Shanto but the youngster failed to carry his start.
North Zone went to back-foot right from the start when opener Junaid Siddique was dismissed for seven, leaving Shanto and opener Mizanur Rahman dig in deep. Mizanur also got the start but was out on 32.
Mushfiqur Rahim came in the crease with the side reeling to 83 for two but he saw the wickets tumbling at the other end. He was solid in his approach amid the wickets falling and finally got the support from Ariful Haque as they shared 87 runs for the sixth wicket.
With Ariful also failing to make his start count, Central Zones command in the game ensured despite Mushfiqurs ninth first class century.
However fast bowler Ebadat Hossain was the most successful bowler for Central Zone with three for 58. Left-arm spinner Mosharraf Hossain Rubel picked up two for 53.
In the days other match, Prime Bank South Zone predictably got them in a position of dominance over Islami Bank East Zone at the Sylhet International Cricket Stadium.
At the end of the day three, South Zone took a handsome lead of 245 with seven wickets remaining after their 142 for three in the second innings.
Centurion of the first innings, Tushar Imran was batting on 46 with Soumya Sarkar on 29 before the bails were drawn.
Opener Anamul Haque Bijoy again failed to make an impact being out on 0 after facing seven balls while his fellow opener Shahriar Nafees was dismissed for 24. Fazle Mahmud was the other notable scorer for South Zone with 42.
Earlier, resuming the day on 95 for three, East Zone were bowled out for 300, in reply to South Zones first inning total of 403.
East Zone lost their two overnight unbeaten batsmen Liton Das and Yasir Ali in consecutive overs to kick-start the day in worst possible way. Liton added 15 runs to his overnight total to be out on 75.
However East Zone was in follow-on scare being left to 126 for six, before Jaker Ali and Mohammad Saifuddin rescued them. They combined for a 104-run but once Kmarul Islam Rabbi broke through with the wicket of Jaker Ali, East Zone crumbled in pressure to concede 103 runs lead.
Jaker Ali was the highest scorer for the team with 76 off 154, hitting six fours and four sixes. Saifuddin was stranded on 75 off 146, with nine fours and two sixes. Rabbi snapped up four for 93 while left-arm spinner duo Abdur Razzak and Nayeem Hasan claimed three wickets apiece.
