ZCZC
BSP-18
CRICKET-BCL-FINAL-SOUTH-ZONE
South Zone clinches BCL title with emphatic victory
DHAKA, Feb 25, 2020 (BSS)- A rampant South Zone came all guns blazing to
register a massive 105-run victory over Islami Bank East Zone in the final of
the eighth Bangladesh Cricket League (BCL) at the Zahur Ahmed Chowdhury
Stadium on Tuesday.
This was the South Zone’s fifth title in the premier first class cricket
tournament of the country. Resuming the day four of the five-day final on
125-8, South Zone was finally bowled out for 140 in their second innings,
setting a 354-run target for the East Zone to clinch the title.
East Zone, however, couldn’t survive and eventually was wrapped up for 248
to concede the heavy defeat.
Only Mahmudul Hasan Limon could make some resistance before being dismissed
for team highest 81. Zakir Hasan was the other notable scorer with 42 while
Afif Hossain made 31.
Pace bowler Shafiul Islam was the wrecker-in-chief, claiming 3-56 with
which he sliced the top order of East Zone. Mahedi Hasan then cleaned up the
tail with a figure of 3-66. Farhad Reza scalped 2-51 to give them ably
support.
Earlier, Mahedi made 53 after resuming the day on overnight 41. He in fact
made 12 runs of South Zone’s 15 on the day. Hasan Mahmud and Abu Haider Rony
picked up four wickets apiece while Ruyel Mea grabbed two.
But, despite being bowled out for 140, South Zone could throw tough target
for East Zone, largely due to their first innings total.
Being sent to bat first, South Zone compiled 486 in its first innings
before being all out, thanks to a 103 not out from Farhad Reza. Openers Fazle
Mahmud and Anamul Haque Bijoy scored 86 and 76 runs respectively while
Shamsur Rahman Shuvo made 79.
In reply, East Zone was dismissed for 273, conceding a 213 runs lead. They
though could bowl out South Zone for 140 in the second innings, the huge
deficit of first innings became the eventual difference.
BSS/SMP/SSS/1800 hrs