Batsmen dominated the Day-1 of the fifth round encounters of the Bangladesh Cricket League (BCL), where Rokibul Hasan and Alok Kapali once again smashed centuries for their respective team at two different grounds yesterday.
Riding on Rokibul’s ton Walton Central Zone put on 289-5 against Prime Bank South Zone on the close of the opening day of the round-5 at the Sheikh Kamal International Cricket Stadium (SKICS) in Cox’s Bazar.
This was Rokibul’s back-to-back century. Earlier, he struck 228 against Islami Bank East Zone in the fourth round. Following the loss of three wickets for 55, Rokibul came to the crease and steadied the ship by stitching a couple of successful partnerships.
The 28-year-old batsman hit 113-run fourth wicket with Shuvagata Hom, who fell for 53 and another 69-run with Tanvir Haider for the fifth wicket stand, which crossed the 200-run mark.
The right-handed batsman clouted 13 fours as many as one six in his patient 174-ball 114-run knock before being caught by Moynul Islam off Abdur Razzak.
Tanvir Haider remained unbeaten on 39, while Sharifullah was on 35 not out.
Experienced left-arm spinner Abdur Razzak and Forhad Reza claimed two wickets each for South Zone.
Elsewhere, at SKICS Academy ground, Alok Kapali helped Islami Bank East Zone score 277-5 at stumps against BCB North Zone.
Having sent to bat first, East Zone lost their first wicket before opening their account. Thereafter, the team fell in shreds when they lost another two wickets in the space of 29 runs. Skipper Mominul Haque gave an impetus hitting a 125-run with Alok Kapali for the fourth wicket partnership.
Mominul fell six runs shy of his century. He clattered a round dozen boundary as well as two sixes before the end of his 105-ball innings. Kapali took the charge and tried to stretch the score by clobbering a couple of partnerships including 102-run with Mohammad Saifuddin for the unbeaten sixth wicket stand. Kapali, who clubbed his first century against Central Zone in Bogra, played 251 balls to make 121 that studded with 15 boundaries.
Saifuddin stayed at stumps on 28 not out. Mamun Hossain picked up two wickets for North Zone.