Runs aplenty on Day 2

Walton Central Zone's Shamsur Rahman follows through on an off-drive during his knock of 84 against Prime Bank South Zone on the second day of their first round match in the Bangladesh Cricket League at Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium in Mirpur yesterday.Photo: STAR

While the second day's play of the Bangladesh Cricket League at the Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium didn't quite produce an innings that could even remotely be compared to Ziaur Rahman's stunning 152 on the first, it did however, witness a fine display of batting from two youngsters, battling to break into the national team.
Half centuries from Shamsur Rahman (84) and Marshal Ayub (65 not out) dominated the match between Prime Bank South Zone and Walton Central Zone in Mirpur yesterday as the latter finished the day on 210 for 3.
The BCB North Zone continued to pile on the runs against Islami Bank East Zone, in the day's other game at the Shaheed Chandu Stadium in Bogra, as they finished the day on a staggering 499 for 6. Nasir Hossain, once again became a victim of the 'nervous nineties' as he fell seven runs short of a century. Another potential centurion, Naeem Islam, who had an overnight score of 50, was bowled out for 82.
Foggy conditions disrupted the morning sessions of the matches, as both the games began after 1 pm.
Prime Bank South Zone vs Walton Central Zone
It was a 75-run, third wicket partnership between Shamsur and Marshal that steadied the ship for Central Zone after they were reeling at 72 for 2 at one point. While Rahman preferred the cut shot, Ayub was on the drive. The shot of the day, in fact, was scored by Marshal, as he went down the track to Murad Khan and found the gap between cover and mid-off, to reach his half-century. Shamsur, on the other hand, preferred taking the aerial route against the spinners as he hit four sixes against Shohag Gazi and Khan.
Shamsur's dismissal was followed by a quick 50-run partnership between captain Mahmudullah Riyad and Marshal, which came off just 45 balls. Earlier, the day began on a good note for South Zone as Robiul Islam trapped Asif Ahmed for a leg before wicket in the seventh over of the day, as the batsman went tried to play one shot too many. Mohammad Ashraful was the next batsman to follow, as he was caught at short leg off Shohag Gazi in the 16th over. Gazi, with figures of 2 for 59, was the highest wicket taker for the Central Zone.
Islami Bank East Zone vs BCB North Zone
The runs continued to flow on a seemingly flat track in Bogra yesterday as five batsmen from the North Zone struck half centuries within the first two days' play. Starting on overnight score of 294 for 4, the North Zone batsmen relied on three partnerships in the middle order yesterday.
The first was between Nasir and Naeem, who shared 96 runs for the fifth wicket. Naeem was clean bowled in the 101st over by Aftab Ahmed which gave way to the sixth wicket partnership of a 101 in quick time, between Nasir and Forhad Reza. Nasir, though was bowled by captain Alok Kapali in the last session of the day. A fifty-run stand between Sohrawardi Shuvo and Reza for the seventh wicket, ensured that North Zone remained in a commanding position.
SCORES IN BRIEF
PRIME BANK SOUTH ZONE: First innings 343 all out in 73 overs v WALTON CENTRAL ZONE: First innings 210 for 3 in 41.4 overs (Shamsur 84, Marshal 65 not out; Gazi 2-59)
BCB NORTH ZONE: First innings 499 for 6 in 131 overs (Nasir 93, Naeem 82; Taposh 3-63)