Left-arm spinner Taijul Islam claimed a career-best 7-67 as Bangladesh Cricket Board North Zone restricted Islami Bank East Zone to 261-8 in the opening day of the second round of the Bangladesh Cricket League at BKSP on Saturday. In the other match, Prime Bank South Zone gained an upper hand over Walton Central Zone thanks to a combined effort from spin duo Sohag Gazi and Abdur Razaak and in-form middle-order batsman Mohammad Mithun.
A promising 22-year old Taijul bowled Nafees Iqbal for six to open his account before he trapped Nafees’ more illustrious younger brother Tamim Iqbal for an lbw with the star national opener making just 24 at BKSP 2.
Youngster Mominul Haque shared 93 runs with Rajin Saleh, a late call-up to the East Zone squad, steadying the innings in the process but Taijul continue to thrive, scalping Rajin for 38.
Mominul seemed destined to reach his century but he wasted the opportunity presenting a catch to Shubhasis Roy for 94.
The young left-hander from Cox’s Bazar, who will be eying his third consecutive Test century in the upcoming home Test series against Sri Lanka, struck 16 fours and two sixes in his enterprising innings.
Rajshahi-lad Taijul bagged all but one wicket that fell on the day, though Alok Kapali denied him a chance of wrapping up the East Zone innings on the opening day.
Former Test cricketer Kapali batted circumspectly to stay unbeaten on 52 alongside Nabil Samad (seven not out).
In the other ground at the sports academy, Gazi and Razzak shared seven wickets between them with Rubel Hossain chipping in with two wickets as Prime Bank South Zone dismissed Walton Central Zone for 165.
Central Zone skipper Mahmudullah, who later picked up five wickets to prevent South from completely dominating the day’s proceedings, scored the highest, 36 runs, while Nurul Hasan and Shahriar Nafees made 32 and 30 runs respectively.
Gazi finished with 4-67 while Razzak claimed 3-44.
Shahadat inflicted more misery on Test-hopeful Anamul Haque when he bowled the right-hander for four to lift the morale of Central Zone.
Mahmudullah, who rediscovered his bowling form in this tournament, took a wicket on the stroke of the tea session and added another one to his tally after resumption to put South Zone reeling at 54-3.
However, Mithun launched a counter-attack hitting seven sixes and six fours to score 88 off 89 balls seizing the momentum back for South. Mahmudullah though denied him the century as he accounted for the wicket of Taiabur Parvez before completing his five-wicket haul with the wicket of Ziaur Rahman.
Despite his feat, South Zone, however, were still in control reaching 197-7 overnight, a lead of 32 runs.
BRIEF SCORES
Stumps, Day 1
Walton Central Zone v
Prime Bank South Zone
Walton Central Zone 1st innings 165 in 39.4 overs (Mahmudullah 36, Nurul 32, Shahriar 30; Gazi 4-67, Razzak 3-44) v Prime Bank South Zone 1st innings 196-7 in 48 overs (Mithun 88, Taiabur 31, Imrul 22, Soumya 21;
Mahmudullah 5-72).
Islami Bank East Zone v
BCB North Zone
Islami Bank East Zone 261-8 in 81 overs (Mominul 94, Kapali 52 not out, Rajin 38; Taijul 7-67) v BCB North Zone.
-With New Age input
