Mosaddek Hossain Saikat and veteran Tushar Imran came up with brilliant centuries on day three of the first round of Bangladesh Cricket League (BCL) as Prime Bank South Zone fought neck-to-neck to leave the match against Islami Bank East zone in balance at BKSP yesterday.

In the day’s other match, Walton Central Zone (CZ) is in danger of a defeat against BCB North Zone despite a century from Roqibul Hasan at Sylhet International Cricket Stadium.

Saikat, a national team aspirant for the Test series against Sri Lanka, hit 110 while Tushar Imran blazed with 105, his 25th first class century, as South Zone ended the day on 318 for five at day three, which was brought to a premature end due to the bad light.

They are now trailing by 228 runs against East Zone who made 546 in its first innings.

Resuming the day on 128 for three, overnight unbeaten batsmen Saikat and Tushar frustrated the East Zone for almost two sessions, dashing the opponent’s hope to leave them in follow-on scare. In the process they shared 218 runs but both of them were removed in the space of 11 runs, giving East Zone some hopes. Tushar hit 18 fours in the 163 balls knock to score 105, which left him just 35 runs short to reach the milestone of 10,000 first class runs as the first Bangladeshi batsman.

In an innings lasting for 226 balls, Saikat smashed 11 fours and four sixes. However before the close of the play, Al-Amin Hossain and Skipper Nurul Hasan Sohan were batting on 17 and 13 runs respectively.

Meanwhile, resuming the 433 for seven, North Zone declared the innings on 457 for nine with Jahurul Islam Omee hitting 158. He started the day on 152 but could add just six runs to his overnight total.

Taskin Ahmed delivered 27.4 overs and took four wickets at the expense of 122 runs. It was a good effort for a fast bowler who is aspiring to be a good Test bowler.

Trailing by 269 in the first innings, CZ reached 234 for seven in its second innings. They received a major setback, being reeled to 84 for five before Roqibul Hasan came as a rescuer and kept them on course of avoiding an innings defeat, sharing 114 runs with Tanbir Hyder for the sixth wicket.

Tanbir was dismissed on 38. Roqibul completed his century but couldn’t last long what was badly needed. He sent the ball across the ropes for 17 times in 152 ball-105 runs knock.

Mosharraf Hossain Rubel and Mehrab Hossain Junior were batting on 14 and 7 respectively before the bad light halted the match’s proceedings for the third consecutive day. Much will depend on the duo as Central Zone still needs 35 runs to avoid innings defeat.