Mithun, Mizanur star in triple-century opening stand

The third-highest opening stand in country's first-class cricket history, of 327 runs, courtesy of centuries from Mohammad Mithun and Mizanur Rahman, helped Walton Central Zone take a huge first-innings lead of 211 runs over BCB North Zone after the second day of the Bangladesh Cricket League at the Zahur Ahmed Chowdhury Stadium in Chattogram yesterday.

Mithun was eventually dismissed after scoring 176 off 257 balls, featuring 21 fours and two sixes while Mizanur departed on 162 off 243 balls, striking 21 fours and three sixes, as Central Zone ended the day at 430 for 2. Salman Hossain and Soumya Sarkar will resume the third day on 40 and 39 runs, respectively.

Beginning play at 61 without loss, both Mizanur and Mithun played shots freely as the latter was the first to reach his 13th first-class hundred off 145 balls. Interestingly, Mithun opened the innings for the first time in first-class cricket after his teammate Abdul Mazid tested positive for Covid-19 at the last moment.

Mithun was dropped in all formats from the Bangladesh team this year and had a tough time during the National Cricket League, scoring just 158 runs in nine innings with the best score of 46.

"Obviously it feels good when you score runs. We both were set at the crease and my target was to put up a big partnership and Mizanur batted really well. It's just the first innings with a long way to go still, so I'll try to keep the consistency in the coming days," said Mithun.

On the other hand, Mizanur, who was involved in the second-highest opening stand of 341 runs with Najmul Hossain, resumed the day on 18 and remained cautious early on before taking on the bowlers.

The right-hander eventually reached his 12th first-class hundred with a six over deep square leg to Tanbir Hayder after facing 163 deliveries.

"It becomes easy to bat with an experienced player like Mithun. We have a good understanding from playing together for a long time. Obviously, my aim is to become the highest run scorer in the league after becoming the top scorer in BPL's last season," said Mizanur.

At Shaheed Kamruzzaman Stadium in Rajshahi, BCB South Zone took the first-innings lead of 21 runs in reply to Islami Bank East Zone's 260.

Opener Anamul Haque scored 88 off 156 balls which featured 14 fours and a six.  Zakir Hasan and Mahedi Hasan remained unbeaten on 91 and 28, respectively, as South Zone will resume the third day at 288 for 6.

Off-spinner Nayeem Hasan bagged three wickets while Mohammad Ashraful scalped two for East Zone.