North Zone almost there

A fiery five-wicket haul from Shafiul Islam helped BCB North Zone move closer towards aceing the Bangladesh Cricket League championship yesterday, the premier four-day cricket competition of the country. After getting bundled out for 374, North Zone reduced their opponents, Islami Bank East Zone to 192 for 7 at the end of the day at Khan Shaheb Osman Ali Stadium in Fatullah.

After getting bundled out for 374, Shafiul removed the top three batsmen to put East Zone under pressure early after the exchange. He ended up dismissing the opposing skipper Alok Kapali and Abul Hasan to complete brilliant figures of 5 for 56 in 17 overs. At one point East Zone were struggling at 70 for 5 and were in danger of following on, however, a few crucial performances from the lower order helped them get close to the 200-run mark.

In the day's other game, Tushar Imran scored his career's third double century and helped Prime Bank South Zone end on a mammoth 701 for 8. Tushar, who reached his century on the first day of the game, scored 217 and was well supported by Shahriar Nafees.

Nafees finished the day unbeaten on 170 and will be hoping to score a double hundred on the third day of the match.

South Zone are not likely to declare before Nafees reaches his double hundred since it is almost certain that North Zone will win the championship.

At the moment, North Zone have 19 points from five games and are on top of the table. South Zone are second with 13 points. For South Zone to have any chance to win the trophy, they will need to win their current game by an innings, which will give them seven points.

However, in the case of North Zone, a mere draw will give them three points since they are, in all likelihood, going to get a first innings lead against East Zone. And those three points will be enough for them to win the championship.

SCORES IN BRIEF 

PRIME BANK SOUTH ZONE v WALTON CENTRAL ZONE 

PRIME BANK SOUTH ZONE: 701 for 8 (Tushar 217, Nafees 170, Mithun 131; Shuvagata 3-202, Tanbir 2-65)

BCB NORTH ZONE v ISLAMI BANK EAST ZONE 

BCB NORTH ZONE: 374 all out in 111.3 overs (Forhad 108, Junaid 84, Dhiman 47, Nazmul 43; Saifuddin 4-55, Abul 3-85)

ISLAMI BANK EAST ZONE: 192 for 7 (Saifuddin 35, Kapali 32; Shafiul 5-56)