M&M's double delight
Marshal Ayub and Mehrab Hossain together produced a record-shattering batting display unique in Bangladesh's first-class history on the second day of the third round of the newly-designed Bangladesh Cricket League (BCL) at the Shaheed Chandu Stadium in Bogra yesterday.
Both batsmen scored double hundreds -- the first time that the same first-class innings saw two double tons from Bangladeshi batsmen -- and they put on a record-breaking 472-run partnership for the fifth wicket, the highest for any wicket in Bangladesh's first-class history. Marshal and Mehrab were still at the crease when stumps were drawn, so there is still a chance for them to create new batting records.
The duo set the new partnership record eclipsing the previous best of 420 made by Marshal and Moha-mmad Ashraful for the fifth wicket in the National Cricket League at Chittagong in the 2006-2007 season.
The fabulous batting of the two overnight batsmen put Walton Central Zone in a commanding position against Islami Bank East Zone as they amassed 528-4 after the end of the second day's play.
“In my opinion it was the best batting display after liberation. The batting of the two batsmen just showed that we are improving in longer-version cricket day by day. I am especially impressed with the temperament the two batsmen showed after their team lost four early wickets,†said excited national selector Minhajul Abedin, who was designated to watch the match, over telephone.
“It's a flat track. We have to make lively wickets for our own interest. But still scoring a double hundred is always a great effort for any batsman, so we must give credit to this two batsmen who served a strong message by their batting,†he added.
At the Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium in Mirpur, left-arm spinner Saqlain Sajib hogged the spotlight by taking six wickets and his effort helped BCB North Zone to tighten their grip on Prime Bank South Zone.
WALTON CENTRAL ZONE v ISLAMI BANK EAST ZONE
Resuming the day on 95, Marshal remained not out on 251, a 323-ball innings that saw 27 fours and three sixes during his 323-ball essay. Now he was looking towards his maiden triple hundred. “The first few overs in the morning session will be very important and I must play cautiously in those overs. Definitely I'm looking for the triple hundred,†said Marshal, who has been in a rich vein of form -- the right-hander was the highest run-getter in the National Cricket League (NCL) where he also made a double hundred, and yesterday was his second hundred in the BCL. Rokibul Hasan is the only Bangladesh batsman to score a first-class triple hundred, a feat he accomplished in 2007.
“I'm in good form and want to continue it and am looking for a national call,†he added.
On the other hand out-of-favour Mehrab was not out on 206, his maiden double hundred in
first-class cricket, and hit 26 fours and two sixes during his 351-ball
knock. The left-hander also has been going through a purple patch as he was the second highest run-scorer in the NCL and he also hit a hundred in the second round of this competition.
BCB NORTH ZONE v PRIME BANK SOUTH ZONE
Saqlain's six-wicket haul first guided North Zone to an 86-run first innings lead, which then stretched to 211 as North Zone finished the day on 125 for three in their second innings.
Soumya Sarker made 51 but it was Shohag Gazi's quickfire 45 off 24 balls with four fours and four sixes that helped South Zone cross the 200-mark.
North Zone lost three wickets for 66 in their second innings but captain Mushfiqur Rahim and Naeem Islam consolidated their position as they put on an unbeaten 59-run partnership for the fourth wicket.
SCORES IN BRIEF
CENTRAL ZONE: First innings 528-4 in 130 overs (Shamsur 23, Sunny 20, Rokibul 0, Marshal 251 not out, Ashraful 4, Mehrab 206 not out; Taposh Baishya 1-61, Nabil Samad 3-111).
NORTH ZONE: First innings 291 and Second innings 125-3 in 39.2 overs (Myshukur 31, Mushfiqur 51 not out, Naeem 22 not out; Razzak 1-44, Robiul 1-30, Gazi 1-34). SOUTH ZONE: First innings 205 all out in 47.4 overs (Imrul Kayes 2, Soumya 51, Anamul 30, Tushar 28, Gazi 45, Razzak 20; Farhad 2-32, Saqlain 6-74, Sanjamul 2-45).
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