ZCZC
BSP-16
CRICKET-CENTRAL-SHANTO
Shanto hits ton to keep Central Zone aloft over South Zone in BCL
DHAKA, Feb 15, 2020 (BSS)-Nazmul Hossain Shanto geared up for solitary Test
against Zimbabwe with an unbeaten 122 as his side Walton Central Zone kept
them aloft over the South Zone on day two of the third round of Bangladesh
Cricket League (BCL) at Sheikh Kamal International Cricket Stadium, Ground-2
on Saturday.
Before the bails were drawn, Central Zone reached 209-6, stretching their
lead to 330 against South Zone who declared their first innings on 114-4,
which was a strategic move.
Central Zone lost openers Saif Hasan (1) and Abdul Mazid (14) cheaply,
which left them in tittering 21-2 before Shanto came up as rescuer. Along
with Raqibul Hasan, Shanto added 111-run to steady the innings and also paved
a strong platform.
Nasum Ahmed broke the partnership, dismissing Raqibul for 39 and also
sliced the lower middle order of Central Zone, with the support from skipper
Abdur Razzak.
But Shanto kept him unscathed amid the wickets tumbling around him and
ended the day on 122 off 189, sending the ball across the rope for 15 times.
Nasum Ahmed had figures of 3-55 while Shafiul Islam finished with 2-36.
Earlier, resuming the day for 29-2, South Zone declared the day on just
114-4, vastly due to depriving the Central Zone from grabbing full bowling
bonus point.
Since the fate of the final two sides would be decided by this match, it
was a strategic move from the South Zone. But due to the move, they conceded
121-run lead.
Nurul Hasan Sohan however was unbeaten on 48 before South Zone declared the
innings.
Walton Central Zone was bowled out for 235 in its first innings after
Marshall Ayub hit 116.
BSS/SMP/ARS/1936 hrs