Naeem, Miraz guide South Zone to second win

South Zone picked up their second win in consecutive matches, beating Central Zone by 26 runs at BKSP's ground 4 today in the ongoing Bangladesh Cricket League one-day version.

Sent to bat, South Zone lost two wickets early before Mohammad Naim's 63, during a 99-run third-wicket stand with Naeem Islam steadied the innings. Naeem, who went on to hit his 29th first-class ton during a 106-ball 102 laced with 12 fours and a six, strung together a 140-run fourth-wicket stand with Nasir Hossain.

Nasir struck an 87-ball75 before falling in the final over as South Zone posted 282 for 5.

In reply, Central Zone lost wickets at regular intervals, losing top-order of Soumya Sarkar, Najmul Hossain and Mominul Haque without meaningful contributions.

South Zone skipper Mehedi Hasan Miraz bagged three wickets for 30 runs as fifties from Mosaddek Hosssain and Ali Jaker saw them reach 256 for 9 in 50 overs.

North Zone romped to a 61-run win over East Zone at BKSP, ground 3 in the other match yesterday, courtesy of Fazle Mahmud's 90 and Ripon Mondol's 2 for 18.

Openers Liton Kumar Das (4) and Tanzid Hasan (18) Tamim fell in quick times after North Zone were sent in to bat Ebadot Hossain picked up Shahadat Hossain Dipu out leg-before for one to give East Zone the upper hand.

Mahmudullah Riyad (9), Akbar Ali (13) and Shamim Hossain (5) did not find form as North Zone were left reeling at 101 for 6 but Fazle Rabbi and Mohammad Saifuddin strung together a 95-run stand for the seventh wicket to get them to a fighting score. Fazle departed in the final over after a 126-ball 90 while Saifuddin contributed with a 58-ball 44.

In reply, East Zone lost Tamim Iqbal (7) and Imrul Kayes (0) to Ripon Mondol's first spell. Tamim appeared particularly unhappy with his dismissal, suggesting the ball had hit his shoulders on the way through to the wicket-keeper and not the bat as he walked away.

Shafiqul Islam then got Mushfiqur Rahim's prized scalp after a 19-ball 1 as East Zone found proceedings difficult. Mahmudul Hasan Joy held steady at one end during a 44-run fourth-wicket stand with Afif Hossain (26) before partnering Yasir Ali in a 56-run stand.

Joy succumbed to Shamim Hossain after a 100-ball 47 and once Yasir departed to Shamim in the 41st over after a 51-ball 41, East Zone's chase fell away and they were eventually bowled out for 155 all out.