The first-round match of the Bangladesh Cricket League (BCL) between Walton Central Zone and Prime Bank South Zone at the Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium eventually turned out to be a draw at the end of the fourth day yesterday. However, for a moment it seemed as though Robiul Islam’s terrific opening spell, which included four wickets in the very first over of the fourth innings, would produce a win for South Zone.
South Zone, after beginning the day on 31 for 1, were bundled out for 216. Central Zone required 127 runs to win their first game of the BCL. It seemed as though it was going to be just a walk in the park for the Centrals, but Robiul took the new ball and removed Asif Ahmed, Mohammad Ashraful, Marshal Ayub and Mehrab Hossain Jr in the span of six balls. He later picked the wicket of Shamsur Rahman and reduced Central Zone to 18 for 5.
It took a patient 50 off 83 balls from Mahmudullah Riyad to save Central’s blushes. They ended the day on 93 for 6. Earlier, Mosharraf Hossain ran through South Zone’s batting order as he claimed four wickets. Shahadat Hossain and Elias Sunny chipped in with three and two wickets respectively.
There were no surprises in the day’s other match though. The contest between Islami Bank East Zone and BCB North Zone, at the Shaheed Chandu Stadium in Bogra expectedly finished in a stalemate. East Zone rode on an unbeaten century from Dhiman Ghosh and some hard hitting from Faisal Hossain down the order to cross the 400 mark. They finished the day on 419 for 8. Spinners Saqlain Sajib and Suhrawardi Shuvo took two wickets each for the North Zone.
SCORES IN BRIEF
PRIME BANK SOUTH ZONE: First innings 343 all out in 73 overs and second innings 216 all out in 66.4 overs ( Tushar 65, Rubel 44; Mosharraf 4-68, Shahadat 3-72).
WALTON CENTRAL ZONE: First innings 433 for 9 dec in 115.4 overs and second innings 93 for 6 in 29 overs (Riyad 50 not out; Robiul 5-17)
Result: Draw
Player of the match: Mosharraf Hossain
BCB NORTH ZONE: First innings 499 for 6 in 131 overs.
ISLAMI BANK EAST ZONE: First innings 419 for 8 in 114 overs (Dhiman 107 not out, Faisal 91; Shuvo 2-61, Saqlain 2-64). Result: Draw
Player of the match: Dhiman Ghosh.
-With The Daily Star input
