Naeem, Fazle make bowlers toil in draw

North Zone got the better outcome from their drawn Bangladesh Cricket League game against South Zone at the Sylhet International Cricket Stadium courtesy their 44-run first innings lead.

North Zone declared their first innings on the third day, after amassing 492 runs for 9 in 189.3 overs. Naeem Islam was their top scorer with 185 while Jahurul Islam and Suhrawadi Shuvo struck fifties. Naeem hit 13 fours and two sixes in his 10 hours and 15 minutes stay at the middle.

Left-arm spinner Abdur Razzak went past 450 first-class wickets in his 100th game. He is now the leading wicket-taker in Bangladesh's domestic first-class cricket.

South Zone came within 44 runs of North Zone's big score, as they were bowled out for 448. Fazle Mahmud made 147 with 14 fours and three sixes. He lasted 311 balls in another long stay at the crease - this time for almost eight hours. Mosaddek Hossain and Ziaur Rahman struck 54 and 57 respectively. Taijul Islam took five wickets from his 50 overs.

There were very little time left on the final day, with North Zone making 69 for two in 25 overs.

Yesterday, Liton Das' maiden double-century set up East Zone's nine-wicket win over Central Zone.