A brilliant century stand from an unlikely pair, Sanjamul Islam and Sajedul Islam, allowed Bangladesh Cricket Board North Zone to get hold of the first day of their Bangladesh Cricket League match against Prime Bank South Zone on Tuesday.
Mainly recognised for their bowling skills, Sanjamul and Sajedul, put up a brave fight when they rescued their side with a 127-run partnership for the ninth wicket to help North Zone post a respectable total of 291 runs.
North Zone had a cautious start at the Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium as their openers saw off in-from pacer Robiul Islam while Shafaq al Jabir, whose inclusion may raise some eye brows, had hardly any effect with the new ball.
The tall Rajshahi pacer Shafaq, who played just one match for Barisal in the last edition of National Cricket League, was picked ahead of quickies like Rubel Hossain and Kamrul Islam Rabbi, who picked up 20 wickets in the NCL.
However, left-arm spinner Abdur Razzak struck in the eighth over when he cleaned up Myshukur Rahman for seven before medium pacer Ziaur Rahman presented his bowling skills to shatter the North Zone batting.
Zia used the early moisture in the wicket to pick up four wickets in quick successions to reduce North Zone to 52-5 and they were put further into trouble after Mushfiqur Rahim’s struggling 91-ball 36 was ended by his counterpart Razzak.
They were reeling at 125-8 before Sanjamul and Sajedul stood out to build the resistance. In the process Sanjamul earned his maiden first-class fifty scoring 73 off 138 balls while Sajedul dealt with boundaries as he made 75-ball 76.
The left-arm seamer Sajedul, who featured in two Tests for Bangladesh in 2008, hammered nine fours and four sixes while the left-arm spinner Sanjamul hit eight fours. After Sajedul’s departure, Sanjamul took Saqlain Sajib (15 not out) and added 41 runs for the last wicket.
South Zone had to come out to bat for three overs as they made five runs without any damage done before the day ended.
Meanwhile, Marshal Ayub closed in on his second century of the tournament as Walton Central Zone reached 231-4 against Islami Bank East Zone at the Shaheed Chandu Stadium in Bogra.
Fog delayed the start of the match while bad light stopped play a couple of times as only 66 overs were bowled on the day but Central Zone made good use of them despite losing their first four wickets for 56 runs.
Marshal, who was unbeaten on 95, added 175 runs with Mehrab Hossain Jr for the fifth wicket while the latter is also eying his second century in the tournament staying unbeaten on 75.
Left-arm spinner Nabil Samad took three wickets for East Zone.
-With New Age input
