Man-of-the-match Taijul Islam claimed another five-for at BKSP-2 on Monday to give him 12 scalps in BCB North Zone’s seven-wicket victory over Islami Bank East Zone with a day to spare in the Bangladesh Cricket League. Meanwhile, Prime Bank South Zone require another 151 runs on the final day with seven wickets remaining to defeat Walton Central Zone at BKSP-3 after Imrul Kayes celebrated his return to the Tigers’ Test set-up with 74 runs on Monday.
East Zone came into the third day with a 101-run lead, but collapsed from their overnight 79-3 to 139 all out thanks to four more wickets from North Zone’s Taijul and three more from Suvashis Roy.
Taijul took 5-51 to go along with his first-innings haul of 7-71, while Suvashis finished with 4-37.
North Zone wasted little time knocking off the 162-run target, reaching 167-3 in just the 32nd over when captain Mushfiqur Rahim hit the final ball of the match for six.
The national skipper scored 29 in an unbeaten 105-run partnership with Naeem Islam, who made 69 not out off 73 balls but lost his spot in the Bangladesh squad for the first Test against Sri Lanka, which was announced on Monday. Opener Junaid Siddique added 31.
At BKSP-3, Central Zone tacked on just 56 to their overnight score of 318-5, with Marshal Ayub adding four runs to Sunday’s 122 to fall for 126 on Monday, when he was also retained in the squad for the first Test against Sri Lanka.
South Zone captain Abdur Razzak took four wickets for 103 runs to lead the South Zone fightback. Taiabur Parvez added three wickets and Sohag Gazi took two.
Wicketkeeper Nurul Hasan added 31 as Central Zone were dismissed for 374, leaving South Zone a target of 310 to chase for victory.
Central Zone skipper and former national vice-captain Mahmudullah – who did not play against New Zealand in October but was again named to the squad against Sri Lanka – quickly added to the seven wickets he took in the first innings, dismissing Soumya Sarker for 11 in his second over to leave South Zone on 31-1.
However, Imrul and Anamul Haque, who lost his place in the Test squad on Monday, added 113 for the second wicket to put the imposing target within reach.
The partnership was eventually broken when Shohid caught Imrul for 74 off the bowling of Elias Sunny, and Mahmudullah got his second wicket off the last ball of the day when Anamul was caught behind for 67.
South Zone will begin Tuesday’s fourth and final day on 159-3, with two relatively new batsmen at the crease and the match finely balanced.
-With New Age input
