Both the 3rd round first class matches of Bangladesh Cricket League (BCL) ended in draw on the 4th and final day at two separate venues across on Wednesday.
BCB North Zone settled for a draw against Prime Bank South Zone at the Sheikh Abu Naser Stadium in Khulna while Islami Bank East Zone played to a draw with Walton Central Zone at the Shaheed Kamruzzaman Stadium in Rajshahi.
On completion of the 3rd round matches, BCB North Zone maintained their solo lead in the four-team league securing 34 points with one win and two draws, Islami Bank East Zone followed the leader with 30 points, Prime Bank South Zone were in the 3rd slot with 26 points while Walton Central Zone remained at the bottom with 19 points.
Replying to BCB North Zone’s first innings total of 408 runs in Khulna, Prime Bank South Zone resumed the first innings with their overnight total of 429 for 8 on the final day and were all out for 433 in 115.1 overs, adding only four runs to their previous credit.
National pacer Shafiul Islam and national spinner Taijul Islam, who captured three wickets each on the 3rd day (Tuesday), finished with four-wicket hauls, conceding 58 and 122 runs respectively.
In reply, BCB North Zone opened the 2nd innings and scored 356 for 5 in 71.3 overs when the bails were drawn for the 4th and final day (Wednesday) to settle for a draw, featuring two centuries by Junaid Siddique and Ariful Haque.
National coloured opening batsman Junaid Siddique, who hit a century in the first innings making 137 runs, scored back-to-back century on Wednesday, hammering polished 150 runs off 170 balls featuring 16 boundaries and one over boundary to be adjudged man of the match.
Lower order batsman Ariful Haque made another ton scoring not out 103 runs off 83 balls hitting six fours and six sixes while Naeem Islam added 112-ball 61 runs including six fours and a six.
Al Amin, Soumya Sarkar, Kamrul Islam Rabbi and Abdur Razzak took one wicket apiece.
Brief score: North Zone first innings — 408 all out in 106.2 overs; Junaid Siddique 137, Mizanur Rahman 106, Dhiman Ghosh 65, Taijul Islam 54, Abdur Razzak 6/107, Kamarul Islam Rabbi 3/122.
2nd innings: 356 for 5 in 71.3 overs; Junaid Siddique 150, Ariful Islam not out 103, Naeem Islam 61, Al Amin 1/16, Soumya Sarkar 1/26, Kamrul Islam Rabbi 1/31, Abdur Razzak 1/175.
Prime Bank South Zone 1st innings- 433 all out in 115.1 overs (overnight 429 for 8); Tushar Imran 148, Imrul Kayes 118, Al Amin 46, Shafiul Islam 4/58, Taijul Islam 4/136.
In the day’s other league match, replying to Islami Bank East Zone’s mammoth first innings total of 735 for 6 (declared) featuring a double century by Zakir Hasan and two centuries by Yasir Ali and Alok Kapali in Rajshahi, Walton Central Zone resumed the first innings with overnight total of 352 runs for 7 and were all out for 428 runs in 121.1 overs on the 4th and final day.
Later, Zakir Hasan was adjudged man of the match for his double ton.
Tanvir Hayder, who was on batting with 20 runs, scored a half century scoring 56 runs, apart from national coloured Raqibul Hasan (85), Shuvagoto Hom (73), Marshall Ayub (65), opener Shadman Islam (56).
National all-rounder Shohag Gazi, who grabbed five wickets for 106 runs on the 3rd day, completed his spell with a seven-wicket haul giving away 141 runs while spinner Enamul Haque Junior claimed two for 106 runs.
In reply, Islami Bank East Zone opened the 2nd innings in the afternoon and piled up 226 runs for no loss in 52 overs with Mehedi Maruf scoring not out 111 runs off 153 balls hitting 10 fours and two sixes while Tasamul Haque hammering unbeaten 108 runs off 160 balls with 12 fours.
Brief score: 1slami Bank East Zone 1st innings- 735 for 6 (declared) in 164 overs; Zakir Hasan 211, Alok Kapali not out 165, Yasin Ali 132, Liton Das 112, Tasamul Haque 60, Abu Hayder 2/67.
2nd innings -226 for no loss in 52 overs; Mehedin Maruf not out 111, Tasamul Haque not out 108.
Walton Central Zone 1st innings- 428 all out in 121.1 overs; (overnight 352 for 7); Raqibul Hasan 85, Shuvagoto Hom 73, Marshall Ayub 65, Shadman Islam 56, Tanvir Haider 56, Shohag Gazi 7/141, Enamul Haque Jr 2/106.
