DHAKA, Feb 1, 2020 (BSS)- Fast bowler Shafiul Islam claimed 6-40 while left-arm spinner Abdur Razzak complemented him with 4-72 as South Zone put them in commanding position against North Zone in the first round of franchise-based first class tournament Bangladesh Cricket League (BCL) at Zahur Ahmed Chowdhury Stadium on Saturday.
After the second day’s play, South Zone was 40-1, stretching their lead to 95 with Shahriar Nafees and Shamsur Rahman Shuvo batting on 19 and 16 runs respectively.
But beforehand, Shafiul and Razzak were key in helping South Zone earn 55-run lead as North Zone was shot out for 207 in its first innings, after South Zone’s 262.
But, it was good comeback for the North Zone who was reduced to 46-5 on day one after failing to deal with a venomous Shafiul who took all five fallen wickets including four wickets in the very first over.
Shafiul kept pressing the North Zone on day 2 while Razzak came up with gem of spin bowling also but Rony Talukdar and Tanbir Hayder showed an unwavering resolve to share 58-run for the sixth wicket.
Tanbir made 34 while Rony scored 55 before both of them were dismissed in quick succession.
But when South Zone was looking for a big lead, Ariful Haque came up with some superb batting display to help North Zone go past 200 and reduced the margin of the lead.
Ariful was unbeaten on 58. South Zone’s left-arm spinner Abdur Razzak ended with 4-72, after taking all four wickets of five of North Zone’s on day two. The rest of wicket went to Shafiul and he finally ended with 6-40.