Three half-centuries from Naim Sheikh, Mahfijul Robin and Mahidul Islam Ankon guided Central Zone to 264 for 7 in 50 overs against North Zone in their BCL one-day encounter at the Rajshahi Divisional Stadium, after Saif Hassan failed to turn his start into a big score, on Monday.
Asked to bat first after losing the toss, Central lost Saif in the over after the powerplay. The right-handed opener was caught by Shadhin Islam off the bowling of Rabiul Haque. However, Naeem and Robin steadied the innings with a 93-run stand for the second wicket.
Naim struck 69 off 76 balls, hitting seven fours and two sixes at a strike rate of nearly 91, before being bowled by left-arm spinner Tanvir.
Captain Ankon, who came in at number four, remained at the crease until two balls before the end of the innings. Robin also brought up his fifty, scoring 63 off 76 deliveries before falling to Soumya Sarkar. The middle overs saw a slowdown as Ariful Islam and Mosaddek Hossain failed to contribute significantly.
Ankon held the innings together with a 67 off 73 balls before being run out. Toward the end, Irfan added a quick 25 from 19 balls to push the total past 260.
Soumya and Tanvir claimed two wickets each, while Mustafizur Rahman went wicketless in his 10 overs but bowled three maidens, conceding 44 runs.
