Two tons, one in vain

The opening day of the Youth Cricket League saw two centurions yesterday. North Zone's Pritom Kumar's 111-ball 103 helped his side post 277 for nine in their 69-run win over South Zone in Bogura, but Central Zone opener Sazzad Hossain's 113 off 146 balls went in vain as his side lost to East Zone by one wicket in Rajshahi.

North batsmen Pritom and Meherub Hossain's 132-run fourth-wicket stand was crucial to their sizeable total. Meherub scored 58 off 69 balls before falling prey to Jahirul Islam. South could only manage a total of 208 runs in 47.2 overs in reply, with Abdullah Al Mamun -- whose 70 was the highest score before he was forced retire out.

In Rajshahi, Central could only manage 227 runs in 48.3 overs after a solid show from opener Sazzad. East then suffered a batting collapse at the top but contributions from Fazly Rubbi (66) and Mohammad Faisal (49) eventually saw their side win.