Central Zone consolidate top spot with draw

Central Zone consolidated their top spot after gaining ten points from the drawn encounter against East Zone at Cox's Bazar.

Central rode on Raqibul Hasan's double-century to post 588 before the declaration came in the first innings. This was Raqibul's first 200-plus score in first-class cricket since his 313 in the National Cricket League nine years ago.

Coming in at No. 4, Raqibul made 228 in 338 balls, including 19 fours and two sixes. He added 154 runs for the third wicket with Marshall Ayub, who made 81, and then 240 for the fifth wicket with Tanveer Haider, who made his sixth century.

In reply, East Zone were bowled out for 442, thanks to half-centuries from Mominul Haque (89), Alok Kapali (73), Yasir Ali (59) and Mohammad Saifuddin (77*).

Central Zone slipped to 98 for 3 in second innings, after gaining a 146-run first-innings lead. Opener Shamsur Rahman, however, held the innings together with an unbeaten 125 that included 11 fours and two sixes, before the match ended in a draw.

Nazmul Hossain Shanto's patient century helped North Zone to a draw against South Zone. Nazmul made 126 off 208 balls, including 15 fours, after North Zone conceded a first-innings lead of 45.

Batting first, North Zone were bowled out for 296 with No.9 Muktar Ali making an 84-ball 64, after they had slumped to 219 for 8. South Zone's strong reply of 341 was built on the back of fifties from Anamul Haque (70), Shahriar Nafees (52) and Tushar Imran (96).

Left-arm spinner Sunzamul Islam claimed 6 for 116, before Nazmul turned it around with the bat in the second innings. He found support from Jahurul Islam, Naeem Islam, and Ariful Haque, all of whom made fifties.

Facing a target of 346, South Zone were driven to 182 for 2 by Shahriar Nafees' unbeaten 101. The match eventually ended in a draw.