Central Zone batsman Nazmul Hossain celebrates his double hundred on the third day of their BCL third round match against South Zone at Cox’s Bazar on Sunday. — BCB photo
Walton Central Zone batsman Nazmul Hossain overcame personal tragedy to hit an unbeaten double hundred to place his team in prime position for a win over BCB South Zone after the penultimate day of their Bangladesh Cricket League third round match in Cox’s Bazar on Sunday.
Nazmul braved through his grandfather’s demise to hit career best 253 not out to help Central Zone declare their second innings on 385-8 and throw a mammoth 507-run target for South Zone at the Sheikh Kamal International Stadium Academy Ground.
Nazmul’s paternal grandfather had passed away on Friday night and the left-hander wanted to return home by taking a flight to Dhaka from Cox’s Bazaar that very night and then go to his residence in Rajshahi by train.
But there were no flight available to the capital on Friday night, hence the 21-year old remained with the team and went out to bat on the second day with a heavy heart after South Zone made a sudden declaration on 114-4, replying to Central Zone’s 235.
Nazmul overcame his personal tragedy to bring up his century on Saturday and on the third day he pushed on from his overnight 122 to bring up his maiden double ton in first-class cricket.
South Zone finished on 159-4 in their reply as the table-toppers were now at risk of missing out from the final if they don’t avoid a defeat and Islami Bank East Zone win their respective match against BCB North Zone.
In reply, Anamul Haque made 83 and Shamsur Rahman remained unbeaten on 44, as South Zone needed an improbable 348 runs on the final day for a win.
In the other match in Cox’s Bazaar, North Zone were leading East Zone by 86 runs, after reaching 145-5 in their second innings, in reply to East’s 331.
Yasir Ali made 165 for East Zone while left-arm spinner Sunzamul Islam took 7-155 for North Zone.
Overnight batsmen Yasir and Nayeem Hasan (31) added 60 runs, after East Zone resumed their first innings on 261-7, replying to North Zone’s 272.
Sunzamul ended the pair’s resistance by dismissing both in quick succession before Sanjit Saha, who finished with 3-75, dismissed Hasan Mahmud for a duck to end East Zone’s innings.
Trailing by 59 runs, North Zone overcame the deficit with Junaed Siddique and Naeem Islam making 36 and 35 respectively, but both fell to Nayeem, who completed his 10-wicket haul with the dual grab.
Mushfiqur Rahim (23) and Mahidul Islam (22) remained unbeaten at the end of play.
Brief Scores
Stumps, Day 3
Central Zone v South Zone
Central Zone 1st innings 235 & 2nd innings 385-8dec in 107 overs (Nazmul 253 not out; Nasum 4-85, Shafiul 2-48) v South Zone 1st innings 114-4dec in 28.2 overs & 2nd innings 159-4 in 52 overs (Anamul 83, Shamsur 44 not out; Mehedi 2-55)
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North Zone v East Zone
North Zone 1st innings 272 all out 82.4 overs & 2nd innings 145-5 in 67 overs (Junaed 36, Naeem 36, Mahidul 22 not out; Nayeem 2-58) v East Zone 1st innings 331 all out in 116.3 overs (Yasir 165, Imrul 76; Sunzamul 7-115)