National captain Mushfiqur Rahim and Naeem Islam on Wednesday became the latest batsmen to post centuries in the Bangladesh Cricket League’s opening matches at the BKSP, as both high-scoring four-day contests ended in draws. Naeem scored 106 before voluntarily retiring and skipper Mushfiq scored 100 in the second innings for BCB North Zone, who reached 341-6 in just 70 overs before their match against Prime Bank South Zone ended at the tea break due to fog at BKSP-3.
Meanwhile, in the other match between Walton Central Zone and Islami Bank East Zone at BKSP-2, fog ruled out fourth day’s play altogether as East Zone remained on the 234-1 they compiled after day three.
With both the matches failing to come near the fourth innings, the teams that had the lead after each side’s first innings were awarded three points in the league table, with the ‘losing’ sides awarded one point each. The teams were also awarded bonus points for batting and bowling,
That left Central Zone and South Zone level on five points at the top of the table. Central Zone outscored East Zone 475 to 303 in the first innings, while South Zone led North Zone 427 to 421 after an innings each. Both teams had won the coin tosses in their matches and elected to field first.
East Zone are in third place with three points, while North Zone, who failed to pick up a bowling bonus point, sit in fourth with two points.
The theme of the BCL has been run-scoring, with six centuries and seven half-centuries – including three scores in the 90s – produced in just six innings and seven total days of play. In total, the four teams scored 2201 runs in just 528.1 overs.
East Zone opener Nazim Uddin, who scored 57 in the first innings, retired hurt on 97 with a hamstring injury on Tuesday and did not have the opportunity to join the list of centurions, which also includes Central Zone’s double-centurion Shamsur Rahman, North Zone’s Forhad Reza, and South Zone’s Imrul Kayes and Mohammed Mithun.
North Zone’s Nasir Hossain, who was run out on 99 in the first innings, scored 50 in the second innings and added 57 runs with Mushfiq after Naeem’s retirement ended a 166-run partnership between the century-makers.
Forhad Hossain followed up his first innings 76 with 41 runs in his second turn at the crease for North Zone.
Even though neither match produced a result and none of the bowlers particularly distinguished themselves, Tigers skipper Mushfiq was happy with the batting performances that were displayed.
‘It was good batting practice; five centuries were scored in our match. It shows the level competition we have among us. It was always there but we took it to a new level now,’ said Mushfiq.
‘I would expect the bowlers to do a bit better in the next match, bowl in a good line and length and create more pressure.’
BRIEF SCoRES
BCB North Zone Vs Prime Bank South Zone
BCB North Zone 2nd innings 341-6 in 70 overs (Naeem 106 retd hurt, Mushfiq 100, Forhad 41; Taiabur 2-27, Robiul 2-40) and 1st innings 421 in 107.5 overs v Prime Bank South Zone 1st innings 427-8 in 104 overs (Imrul 127, Mithun 107, Soumya 42, Zia 40; Taijul 4-97, Forhad 2-69).
Result: Match Drawn.
Man of the match: Forhad Reza (BCBNZ).
Walton Central Zone v Islami Bank East Zone
Islami Bank East Zone 2nd innings 234-1 in 60 overs (Nazimuddin 97 retd hurt, Nafees 63, Mominul 41 not out, Tamim 28 not out) and 1st innings 303 in 91.4 overs v Walton Central Zone 1st innings 475 in 92.4 overs (Shamsur 267, Nurul 94; Mashrafee 3-98, Alauddin 2-104, Enamul Jr 2-114).
Result: Match Drawn.
Man of the match: Shamsur Rahman (WCZ).
-With New Age input
