Central Marshal-ling

Walton Central Zone’s Marshal Ayub dominated the third day of the first-round Bangladesh Cricket League (BCL) match against Prime Bank South Zone with a fluent 125 at the Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium in Mirpur yesterday. Central Zone eventually declared at 433 for 9 and at the end of the day’s play were leading the game by 59 runs after restricting South zone to 31 for 1 in their second innings.
The right-handed batsman, who was batting on 65 overnight, reached his century with a cover drive off Shohag Gazi through deep extra cover in the 60th over.
Ayub, who was the highest run-scorer in the recently concluded National Cricket League (NCL), seemed to be in good nick as he consistently drove in front of cover throughout his innings. It was a mix-up that eventually led to his fall as he was run-out by Tushar Imran in the 77th over.
“It was a misunderstanding, it was my call, but he stopped a little and so did I,” said Ayub at the end of the day’s play. “I am happy with my form and I am trying to make full use of it. The wicket is good too .I could have scored more but unfortunately I got run out.”
The day’s other match at the Shaheed Chandu Stadium in Bogra, between Islami Bank East Zone and BCB North Zone was reduced to just 46 overs due to unplayable conditions created by the morning fog. North Zone declared at 499 for 6 and reduced East Zone to 143 for 4 at the end of the day’s play. The match though is headed towards a tame draw.
PRIME BANK SOUTH ZONE v WALTON CENTRAL ZONE
South Zone’s bowlers toiled hard all day on a pitch that seemed to have nothing in it for the bowlers. The day began on an aggressive note with both Ayub and Mahmudullah Riyad hitting a flurry of boundaries. Riyad was the more aggressive of the two as he ended up scoring 66 runs off 82 balls before being trapped in front by Murad Khan. Contributions from the tail helped South Zone take a lead of 90 runs.
Wicketkeeper Nurul Hasan upped the tempo towards the end with a quickfire 27, which included three consecutive boundaries off Shohag Gazi. Mosharraf Hossain remained unbeaten on 43. New national recruit Shohag Gazi bowled 46 overs for his four wickets, while Robiul islam and Murad Khan took two wickets each. In reply, South Zone lost their skipper Imrul Kayes towards the end of the day as he was caught off Riyad while attempting to pierce a boundary through cover.
BCB NORTH ZONE v ISLAMI BANK EAST ZONE
East Zone seemed to be finishing the third day’s play in a healthy position before they lost a couple of wickets, including that of the well-set Mominul Haque just before stumps. Mominul scored 54 and was caught by Jaharul Islam off Sohrawardi Shuvo in the 44th over. Shuvo got the wicket of nightwatchman Enamul Haque Jr in the same over as East Zone slumped from 136 for 2 to 136 for 4 in the space of four deliveries.
East Zone had lost both their openers early in the day as they slumped to 49 for 2 within 22 overs. An 87-run partnership between Mominul and skipper Alok Kapali, provided a much needed boost before they lost the consecutive wickets.
SCORES IN BRIEF
PRIME BANK SOUTH ZONE: First innings 343 all out in 73 overs and second innings 31 for 1 in 5.1 overs ( Fazle 12 not out; Riyad 1-5). WALTON CENTRAL ZONE: First innings 433 for 9 dec in 115.4 overs (Marshal 125, Shamsur 84; Shohag 4-162).
BCB NORTH ZONE: First innings 499 for 6 in 131 overs (Nasir 93, Naeem 82; Taposh 3-63). ISLAMI BANK EAST ZONE: First innings 134 for 4 in 46 overs (Mominul 54, Alok 40 not out; Shuvo 2-9, Shafiul 1-41)