BCB North Zone made a brave fourth-innings chase led by Farhad Hossain and skipper Nasir Hossain as they ended the day on 254-3 after being set a target of 573 runs by Prime Bank South Zone in Bangladesh Cricket League’s final on Monday. Farhad remained unbeaten on 85 runs while Nasir was 67 not out when the bails were drawn for the fourth day to trail by 318 runs after dismissing South Zone for 536 runs in 116 overs at the Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium.
Farhad and Nasir put on an undefeated 128 runs for the fourth wicket to raise some hopes in their dressing room after they were left with a mountain to climb by the opponents.
Earlier, the North Zone bowlers did not allow the South Zone batsmen to dominate as the last seven wickets could add only 145 runs after resuming at 410-3 to eventually capitulate for 536 runs.
South Zone had a first innings lead of 36 runs when they scored 271 runs and later bowled out North for 235 runs.
North Zone’s pace bowler Shubhashish Roy picked up three wickets on the day to prevent the opponents from heaping more misery on them after a double century and a century respectively scored by Imrul Kayes and Mohammad Mithun gave South Zone the control.
Shubhashish, who took 3-128, made the initial breakthrough for the North Zone by removing Mithun who could add just 15 runs to his overnight 11. Taibur Parvez hit 31 from 30 balls and Abdur Razzak struck 30 off 24 balls as South Zone still managed to cross the 500-run barrier.
In reply, North openers Junaed Siddique and Myshukur Rahman (32) gave their team somewhat a solid start by putting on 57 runs before experienced Razzak removed the latter to break the partnership.
Junaed scored 51 runs before Shuvagata Hom trapped him in front after the left-hander along with Farhad Hossain went on to build a second-wicket partnership worth 42 runs.
Farhad, who seized the opportunity of taking his time, looked to be in total control of the situation making 85 runs from 154 balls with the help of nine fours.
After losing Naeem (16), Farhad and Nasir defied the South Zone bowlers to lead the fightback by playing the ball according to merit and not getting bogged down by the variations offered by the bowlers.
Nasir, who showed the sign of returning to form with his first fifty in 2014 at any level in the first innings, looked to have got back his lost touch to stay 67 not out facing 102 balls and hitting seven fours and a six.
North Zone need an outright victory to bag the title while a draw will be sufficient for South Zone, who took the honours in the first innings.
BRIEF SCORES
Stumps, Day 4
BCB North Zone v
Prime Bank South Zone
BCB North Zone 2nd innings 254-3 in 63 overs ( Farhad Hossain 85 not out, Nasir Hossain 67 not out, Junaed Siddque 51; Abdur Razzak 2-76) & 1st innings 235 in 97.5 overs v Prime Bank South Zone 2nd innings 536 all out in 116.3 overs ( Imrul Kayes 204, Mohammad Mithun 126, Abdur Razzak 33,Taiabur Parvez 31; Shuvasish Roy 3-128) & 1st innings 271 in 80 overs.
-With New Age input
