Jahurul, Ariful lead the leaders
The battle of the table-toppers spiced up at Bangladesh's home of cricket in Mirpur today, when North Zone captain Zahurul Islam and his partner-in-crime for the sixth wicket Ariful Haque stroked centuries against Islami Bank East Zone.
The two overnight batsmen put on 184 runs as leaders North, resuming the second day of their Bangladesh Cricket League fixture on 204 for five, posted an impressive 415 before being bowled out in the first over after the tea break. Jahurul struck 113, his 13th first-class century, while Ariful's 101, his seventh first-class ton, put North in pole position to take a crucial first-innings lead.
Jahurul, who started the day on 43, hit a dozen boundaries in his 238-ball innings while Ariful, who resumed on 14, once against demonstrated his growing reputation as a pace bowling all-rounder with an equally impressive century that contained seven fours and a six.
But the final session of the day belonged to East Zone as they raced to 110 for no loss in 27 overs. On-song wicketkeeper-batsman Liton Das led the reply with a fluent 52 not out. The right-hander hit six fours and two sixes in his 70-ball knock. Tasamul Haque also played with authority at other end on a green top and scored an unbeaten 49 off 92 balls laced with six fours.
It was certainly an ideal start for East in their desperate attempt to overtake North's 415. North are currently leading the four-team table with 41 points, two more than East.
At Rajshahi, Walton Central Zone took a crucial 112-run first-innings lead against Prime Bank South Zone, who were 50 for one at stumps in their second essay.
The first-innings charge from Central, who are at the bottom of the table with 28 points, was led by Sadman Islam.
The 22-year-old left-hander scored 93 off 176 balls in his side's first-innings total of 302. The opening batsman, who resumed the day on 66, missed what could have been his third first-class century by seven runs. But his effort opened up the prospect of Central's first win after Ebadat Hossain's four-for bowled South to 191.
Sadman struck 12 fours in his polished knock. Wicketkeeper-batsman Irfan Sukkur also scored a vital 55 off 70 balls down the order. Veteran left-arm spinners Abdur Razzak picked up six wickets for South, who however have a tall task to avoid their first defeat after four draws.
The inspiring aspect for South is that they have got a long and tested batting line-up, which is needed to come to the party if they are to stay close to the title race.
South lost their opener Fazle Mahmud (9) in the final session but experienced Anamul Haque (31) and Imrul Kayes (10) hold the fort together for the rest of the day.