BCL: Shanto, Yasir hit centuries

Dhaka — Najmul Hossain Shanto and Yasir Ali Rabbi smashed centuries for their respective teams on the 2nd day 3rd round match of Bangladesh Cricket League (BCL) at different venues on Saturday.

Walton Central Zone, which scored 235 runs in the first innings, on Saturday scored 209 for 6  riding a century by Najmul Hossain Shanta to take 330 runs lead against BCB South Zone at the Academy ground of Sheikh Kamal International Stadium in Cox’s Bazar.

The left-handed batsman Shanta scored an unconquered 122 at the end of day two. Riding on his seventh first-class ton, Central Zone took a comfortable 330 runs over all lead.

BCB South Zone resumed the first innings with 29 runs 2 in 9 overs on day one and declared the innings for 114 for 4 wickets in 28.2 overs not to give bonus points to Central Zone taking more wickets.

South Zone captain Abdur Razzak took the risk of declaring the innings with a low total to put pressure on Central Zone. But, the century by Shanto put the pressure back.

Central Zone lost two wickets just in 21 runs in their second innings, but in the third wicket stand, Shanto and Raqibul Hassan added 111 runs on the board. Shanto remained unbeaten on 122 while Raqibul fell for 39. At the end of day two, Central Zone posted 209 for 6 in 69 overs to secure a 330 runs lead.

Nasum Ahmed bagged three wickets conceding 55 runs while Saiful Islam scalped two wickets.

Brief score: Walton Central Zone 1st innings: 235/10 in 82.2 overs, Marshall 116, Mustafizur 30, Mahedi 3/78, Shafiul 2/24, Abdur Razzak 2/62, Nasum 2/51

South Zone 1st innings: 114/4 in 28.2 overs (declared), Nurul Hasan 48, Shamsur 25, Irfan 2/42

Central Zone 2nd innings: 209/6 in 69 overs, Shanto 122*, Raqibul 39, Nasum  3/55, Shafiul 2/36

Islami Bank East Zone vs BCB North Zone

Despite losing two early wickets, Islami Bank East Zone are still in the race, riding on unbeaten 134 runs by Yasir Ali.

The right-handed batsman hit unbeaten 134 for East Zone against BCB North Zone at Sheikh Kamal International Cricket Stadium in Cox’s Bazar on Saturday.

Replying to North Zone’s 1st innings of 272, East Zone lost two openers Mohammad Ashraful (0) and Pinak Ghosh (3) early. But they ended day two scoring 261 for 7 in 96 overs, featuring a century by Yasir Ali.

East Zone captain Imrul Kayes posted 76.  Afif Hossain contributed 26, but they are still 11 runs behind North Zone with three wickets in hand.

Sunzmul Islam bagged five wickets conceding 92 while Sanjit Saha took two wickets.

Brief score: North Zone 1st innings: 272/10 in 82.4 overs, Mushfiq 140, Naeem 31, Sunzamul 29, Nayeem 8/107, Hasan Mahmud 2/50

Islami Bank East Zone 1st innings: 261/7 in 96 overs, Yasir 134*, Imrul 76, Afif 26, Sunzamul 5/92, Sanjit 2/71.UNB