Dhaka – Two centuries by Rony Talukder and Mohammad Ashraful guided Islami Bank East Zone to a mammoth 354 for 3 in 90 overs in the first innings against BCB North Zone on the first day of the four-day 4rd round match of Bangladesh Cricket League (BCL) at the Shaheed Kamruzzaman Stadium in Rajshahi on Tuesday.Sent in to bat first, Islami Bank East Zone piled up the figure scoring unbeaten 241 runs in the 4th wicket stand by Rony Talukder and Mohammad Ashraful after the dismissal of first three batsmen — Sadikur Rahman, Mominul Haque and Mahmudul Hasan– for 113 runs in 34.1 overs.
Opener Rony Talukder hammered a polished and unbeaten 183 off 241 balls featuring 19 boundaries and five over boundaries while former national captain Mohammad Ashraful contributed unconquered 107 runs off 186 deliveries with the help of 13 boundaries.
Besides, East Zone captain and top order national batsman Mominul Haque scored 42-ball 26 runs hitting five boundaries, two down Mahmudul Hasan made a patient 65-ball 29, including five hits to the fence, after the departure of opener Sadikur Rahman for a duck.
Imran Ali, national coloured all-rounder Shohag Gazi and Sunzamul Islam claimed one wicket each conceding 39, 56 and 80 runs respectively.
Sent in to bat first in the other match, league leader Walton Central Zone scored 234 for 8 in 92 overs in the first innings against Prime Bank South Zone on the first day at the Zahur Ahmed Chowdhury Stadium in the port city of Chattogram on Tuesday.
Opener Shadman Islam (60), two down Marshall Ayub (44), lower order Taibur Rahman (not out 43), captain Shuvagata Hom (27), Mosharraf Hossain (21) and Jaker Al (19) were the notable scorers for the Central Zone reaching the double digit.
National coloured pacer Al Amin Hossain grabbed three wickets for 51 runs while Mahedi Hasan and veteran spinner Abdur Razzak took two wickets each giving away 50 and 69 runs respectively.
On completion of the 3rd round encounters, Walton Central Zone maintained the top slot in the four-team league securing 16.82 points, BCB North Zone followed the leader collecting 11.49 points, Islami Bank East Zone were in the close 3rd slot bagging 11.44 points while defending champions Prime Bank South Zone were in the bottom with 6.45 points.UNB
