East Zone produced a sensational one-wicket victory over South Zone in a nail-biting BCL One-Day clash at Shaheed Chandu Stadium, Bogura. Hasan Mahmud emerged as the match-winner, starring with both bat and ball to secure a remarkable win.
Batting first, South Zone struggled on a grassy pitch that tested their technique. Opener Anisul Islam top-scored with 50 off 53 balls, striking eight fours and two sixes. Support came from Robiul Haque (31), Shahidul Islam (28), and Afif Hossain (24). Despite their contributions, wickets fell steadily, including three key dismissals by Soumya Sarkar, and South Zone were bowled out for 180 in 43.2 overs.
Chasing 181, East Zone faced early setbacks. Parvez Hossain Emon was dismissed for 4 in the fourth over, Mehedi Hasan Miraz fell sweeping, and Zakir departed for 16 after a poor shot. A 52-run third-wicket partnership between Mominul Haque (29) and Shahadat Hossain Dipu (42) provided temporary stability, but Tanvir Islam’s dismissal of Muminul left East Zone reeling at 141 for nine.
At this critical juncture, Hasan Mahmud and Mushfiq Hasan produced an extraordinary last-wicket stand of 41 runs. Hasan, the aggressor, remained unbeaten on 35 from 45 balls, playing two perfectly timed drives to level the scores. Mushfiq contributed 4 not out from 35 balls, holding his end firmly and supporting the chase.
Earlier, Hasan had also shone with the ball, claiming three wickets, effectively becoming an all-round match-winner. This innings marked his best batting performance in 81 List ‘A’ matches and earned him the Player of the Match award.
The winning runs came just one ball after the scores were tied. Hasan celebrated with a modest fist pump as East Zone claimed a memorable victory. South Zone had needed a win to advance to the final, but the resilient lower-order stand by Hasan and Mushfiq turned the match around.
