North Zone claimed a commanding 10-wicket victory over South Zone inside three days at the Academy Ground of Sylhet International Cricket Stadium in the BCL, while at the main ground, Amite Hasan’s 162 has left East Zone firmly in control against Central Zone.
North Zone had resumed the third day on 379 for 6 in their first innings, and though they could only add a further 47 runs, the total they had already built proved more than sufficient. Pritam Kumar, who had been unbeaten on 151 overnight, was eventually dismissed for 155, while Sanzamul Islam contributed a brisk 45 lower down.
Sofor Ali had been the pick of South Zone’s bowlers, finishing with 5 for 99, but his efforts could not prevent North Zone from establishing a first-innings lead of 114.
Faced with that deficit, South Zone’s second innings never gained any real momentum. Rabiul tore through the top order, claiming the first four wickets on his own, and when Taijul Islam joined the attack, South Zone had slumped to 67 for 6, an innings defeat suddenly looming large.
A seventh-wicket stand of 80 between Samiun Basir and Moin Khan offered some resistance. Moin fell for 42, and Ratul chipped in with 53, but South Zone were eventually bowled out for 172. Rabiul finished with a well-deserved 5 for 53.
Chasing just 61 to win, North Zone, led by Akbar Ali, needed only 9.4 overs to get there. Sabbir Hossain made it a thoroughly one-sided affair, crashing four sixes and three fours to blast 54 off 35 balls and wrap up the victory with ease. South Zone had posted 314 in their first innings.
At the main Sylhet International Cricket Stadium, East Zone are firmly in the driving seat against Central Zone, largely thanks to Amite Hasan’s magnificent 162.
East Zone had begun the third day on 243 for 3, and Mushfiq gave them a solid platform before falling for 83, just short of a century, bringing to an end a 151-run fourth-wicket stand with Amite. Undeterred, Amite pressed on, adding a further 107 runs alongside Yasir Ali, who remained unbeaten on 79. Amite was eventually dismissed for 162, his side finishing on 463 all out. Rakibul took a five-for for Central Zone.
Trailing by 156, Central Zone made a wretched start to their second innings, losing wickets at regular intervals throughout the third day. By the close, they had limped to 82 for 7, still needing 74 more runs simply to avoid the innings defeat. With only three wickets in hand and the pitch offering assistance, East Zone will be heavy favourites to complete the victory on day four.
