South declare while 121 runs behind
A dramatic event unfolded during the Bangladesh Cricket League third-round fixture between Central Zone and South Zone at the Sheikh Kamal International Cricket Stadium Academy Ground in Cox's Bazar yesterday.
On the second day of the final round, the BCB-operated South declared their first innings on 114 for four after 28.2 overs while still being 121 runs behind Central's first innings score!
Eyebrows were raised and questions were asked after such a bizarre decision from South Zone skipper Abdur Razzak, but the bonus point system was the only factor that influenced it.
South wanted to deprive Central from getting the 0.5 bonus points which they would receive if they were able to scalp five wickets inside the first 100 overs. So, after losing four wickets inside just 29 overs, Razzak declared South's innings while still miles off Central's first-innings total.
The two top teams after the completion of the third round will square off for the ultimate glory and hence teams are doing everything in their hands to seal one of the two spots.
Even before the start of this round, South had amassed a total of 16.39 points and were top of the table. The Razzak-led side have already added 1.5 bonus points to their tally in this game, which takes their points to 17.89.
And now, even if Central -- who are third with 9.5 points -- manage to win this game, they would have a total of 17.5, still behind South. According to the bylaws, such events in a match are not illegal or, in fact, anything new, but it still invites a lot of questions because it is said to be hampering the spirit of cricket -- a sport said to be the gentlemen's game.
However, the trick from South might backfire and cost them the game as an unbeaten 189-ball 122 from Najmul Hossain Shanto helped Central finish the day on 209 for six, giving them a 330-run lead with four wickets in hand.
Moreover, the BCL bylaws also states that a team will receive a bonus point for winning back-to-back games. So Central, who won their previous encounter against North Zone, may end up with 18.50 points.
And if East Zone win the other ongoing game against North Zone, then the final will be played between East and Central. With two more days to go, South might just end up ruing yesterday's questionable declaration.
Meanwhile, at the main ground of the same venue, it was just another regular day for North Zone and East Zone.
The two games did have one thing in common as this game also saw an unbeaten century. That was made by East's Yasir Ali, who smashed an unbeaten 271-ball 134, laced with 13 boundaries and two sixes.
East Zone skipper Imrul Kayes, who missed the first two rounds due to a hamstring injury, also scored a 153-ball 76 as East Zone managed 261 for seven at the close after starting the day on three for two. For North Zone, Sunzamul Islam shone the brightest with the ball, finishing with figures of five for 92.
HIGHLIGHTS
South Zone sparked controversy on the second day of the final round when the Abdur Razzak-led side declared on 114 for four, still 121 runs behind Central Zone's first-innings total.
Two unbeaten tons were smashed yesterday. Nazmul Hossain Shanto scored a 189-ball 122, helping Central Zone take the upper hand against South Zone. Meanwhile, it was Yasir Ali's 271-ball 134 that helped East Zone's cause against North Zone.
North Zone's left-arm spinner Sunzamul Islam bagged a fifer against East Zone.
SCORES IN BRIEF
SOUTH V CENTRAL
CENTRAL ZONE: 235 and 209 for six (Nazmul 122 not out Raqibul 39; Nasum 3-55)
SOUTH ZONE: 114 for four decl (Nurul 48 not out; Ifran 2-42)
NORTH V EAST
NORTH ZONE: 272 all out
EAST ZONE: 261 for seven (Yasir 134 not out, Imrul 76; Sunzamul 5-92)
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