ZCZC
BSP-11
CRICKET-BCL-FINAL-DAY-1
South Zone reaches 305-6 against East Zone on day 1 of BCL final
DHAKA, Feb 22, 2020 (BSS) – South Zone made a good start to their quest to
clinch the Bangladesh Cricket League (BCL) trophy as they reached 305-6 on
day one of the final of the tournament against Islami Bank East Zone at Zahur
Ahmed Chowdhury Stadium in Chattogram on Saturday.
East Zone won the toss and opted to bowl first in a final that is a five-
day affair but the decision looked to have backfired as South Zone took them
in a comfortable position before the bails were drawn for the opening day.
Opener Fazle Mahmud hit highest 86 while his fellow opener Anamul Haque
Bijoy made 76. They gave the side a decent start, sharing 136-run for the
opening stand.
The partnership grew with strength to strength as the East Zone bowlers
looked clueless at one phase. However for their delight, they got a
breakthrough when Anamul was trapped run out.
The former national opener struck five fours and one six in his 131 ball-
76. After adding 53-run with Al-Amin Hossain Junior, Fazle Mahmud then was
dismissed when he looked set for a century.
Left-arm spinner Saqlain Sajib got the better of him before he played 155
balls for his 86 in which he smote nine fours and two sixes.
East Zone then bounced back in the game, with Ruyel Mea taking the set Al-
Amin for 39 while Abu Haider Rony took the prized scalp of Mahmudullah Riyad,
who was dropped from the Bangladesh’s Test squad against Zimbabwe.
Mahmudullah though vowed to fight back his place in Test squad, he could
score just 1 in this innings.
As it looked, South Zone would crumbled under pressure, Shamsur Rahman
Shuvo and Mahedi Hasan helped the side propel past 300. Mahedi was dismissed
on 36 off 35.
But Shamsur Rahman was batting on 37, along with Farhad Reza who was on 8
at the end of the day’s play.
They would resume the battle tomorrow (Sunday) in a bid to take the side
in safe zone.
BSS/SMP/FI/ 1734 hrs