Tame draws amid run-fest

The third round of the Bangladesh Cricket League ended the way it started with four centuries on the fourth and the final day showcasing an astonishing display of batting in two games where a staggering 2,586 runs were scored against the fall of 41 wickets.

For the record, 12 centuries, including a magnificent maiden double hundred by Zakir Hasan (211), and 11 half centuries marked this round of run-fest.

Bat was so dominant both at the Sheikh Abu Naser Stadium in Khulna, where a mind-boggling 1,398 were scored for the loss of only 16 wickets, and at the Shaheed Kamruzzaman Stadium in Rajshahi, that not a single game witnessed a fourth innings, essentially meaning that both games ended in tame draws.

At Khulna, Islami Bank East Zone captain Mominul Haque decided against throwing the ball to his tiring bowlers on a benign pitch again despite having the opportunity of enforcing a follow-on against Walton Central Zone, who, resuming the final day on 357-8, batted for another 20-odd overs before being all out for 428 in 121.1 overs.

After scoring a massive 735-6 (declared0 in their first innings -- the third highest innings total in the country's first-class history -- East Zone opted to bat again. Openers Mehedi Maruf, who missed out on the first innings run-fest, gleefully seized the opportunity and smashed an unbeaten 111. His opening partner Tasamul Haque, who scored 60 batting at number five in the first innings, hammered a quick-fire unbeaten 108 as East raced to 226-0 in 52 overs.

It was certainly a punishing 52 overs for Central and their frustration was quite evident. They used all 11 players including wicketkeeper Irfan Sukkur, who bowled three overs, by rotation just for the sake of completing those mandatory overs.

At Rajshahi, BCB North Zone opener Junaed Siddiqui scored his second consecutive hundred as his side recovered from a nervy start to post 356-5 after Prime Bank South Zone had lost their last two wickets in the second over of the fourth morning, increasing their lead to 25.

Resuming the day on 429-8, South were reeling quickly with their overnight batsman Tushar Imran departing without adding a single run to his 148.

Leaders North started their second essay badly, losing three wickets for 49 runs before a century-stand between Junaed and Naeem Islam (61) steadied the ship. Left-handed Junaed also shared 160 runs for the fifth wicket with Ariful Haque, who scored an unbeaten 103 before becoming the last batsman out.

Junaed scored 137 in the first innings. The experienced left-hander hit 16 fours and a six and won the player-of-the-match award.

Despite conceding a first-innings lead, North Zone lead the four-team table with 34 points followed by East Zone's 30 and South Zone's 24.

The BCL will have a long layoff for accommodating the Premier Cricket League, which commences from February 5. The fourth round will start on completion of the one-day competition.

SCORES IN BRIEF 
Islami Bank East Zone v Walton Central Zone 
East Zone: First innings 735-6 dec and 226-0 in 52 overs (Mehdi 111 not out, Tasamul 108 not out)
Central Zone: First innings 428 in 121.1 overs (Sadman 56, Raquibul 85, Marshall 65, Shuvagata 73, Tanbir 56; Gazi 7-141, Enamul 2-80) 
Result: Match drawn 
Player of the match: Zakir Hasan 
BCB North Zone v Prime Bank South Zone
North Zone: First innings 408 and 356-5 in 71.3 overs (Junaid 150, Naeem 62, Ariful 103 not out)
South Zone: First innings 433 in 115.1 overs (Imrul 118, Tushar 148, Al-Amin 46; Shafiul 4-58, Taijul 4-136) 
Result: Match drawn 
Player of the match: Junaed Siddiqui