Walton Central Zone captain Mahmudullah claimed his second five-wicket haul of the match to clinch a dramatic 37-run victory over Prime Bank South Zone in the Bangladesh Cricket League at BKSP-3 on Tuesday. One day after Taijul Islam won the man-of-the-match award at BKSP-2 for his 12 wickets in BCB North Zone’s victory over Islami Bank East Zone, Mahmudullah matched the feat, taking 5-96 in the second innings to dismiss South Zone for 272 in their pursuit of 310 on the final day.
Mahmudullah took the last three wickets to mop up the tail and send Central Zone to the top of the BCL table as the league breaks for the Tigers’ home series against Sri Lanka. He also took 7-94 in the first innings and had scores of 36 and 41 with the bat.
Day four began with the teams evenly poised, with South Zone on 159-3 after losing set batsmen Anamul Haque (67) and Imrul Kayes (74) late on Monday. After fog delayed the start of play, two more quick wickets from Elias Sunny, who finished with 3-81, gave Central Zone the early advantage.
However, Ziaur Rahman got settled at the crease and Sohag Gazi played some big strokes to take South Zone to 240-6 just before tea, when Sohag’s aggression got the better of him. He was dismissed for 23 when his lofted drive off Shahadat Hossain was caught by Shamsur Rahman at mid-on with South Zone still 70 runs shy of the target.
Mahmudullah then finished the job for Central Zone, taking two catches off his own bowling around his dismissal of Zia – who was caught by Shohid at deep mid-wicket for 45 – to wrap up a victory that seemed improbable when the league-leaders were bundled out for 165 in the first innings.
They then managed to restrict South Zone to 230 on the back of Mahmudullah’s seven-wicket haul before piling up 374 in the second innings, led by Marshal Ayub’s 126.
Central Zone moved on to 12 points from two matches, three points clear of second place North Zone, who are on nine. South Zone picked up a bowling bonus point to take their tally to six. East Zone is in last place with four points.
Brief scores
Walton Central Zone v
Prime Bank South Zone
Central Zone 1st innings 165 in 39.4 overs (Mahmudullah 36; Sohag Gazi 4-67, Abdur Razzak 3-44) and 2nd innings 374 in 87.4 overs (Marshal Ayub 126, Shamsur Rahman 65; Razzak 4-103, Taiabur Parvez 3-34) v South Zone 1st innings 230 in 64.2 overs (Mithun 88; Mahmudullah 7-94) and 272 in 81.4 overs (Imrul Kayes 74, Anamul Haque 67; Mahmudullah 5-96, Elias Sunny 3-81)
Result: Central Zone won by 37 runs
Man of the match: Mahmudullah (WCZ)
-With New Age input
