Bad light leads to controversial draw in Bogra

Bad light in Bogra thwarted East Zone when they had reached within six runs of their 326-run target against Central Zone. The umpires called off play eight minutes after the scheduled 5pm ending, and announced that the match was drawn a little while later. It prompted some to protest from the East Zone dressing room.

East Zone had reached 320 for 7 in the fourth innings riding on Mahmudul Hasan's maiden first-class century, in his tenth year of first-class cricket. His 135 contained 12 fours, having faced 242 balls in just over six hours. He added 103 for the third wicket with Mohammad Ashraful, who made 64 with eight fours and two sixes. Towards the end, Enamul Haque jnr and Abu Jayed had added 27 for the unbroken eighth wicket stand when the umpires judged it had become too dark to play.

On the first day, Farhad Reza's career-best figures of 7 for 32 had helped bowl out Central Zone for 118. East Zone then took a 68-run lead after they were bowled out for 186, with seamer Shahidul Islam taking 5 for 62.

Shahidul was also one of five batsmen to make half-centuries as Central Zone hit back with 393 all out in their second innings. Pinak Ghosh, Abdul Mazid, Marshall Ayub and Taibur Rahman were the others to hit fifties, though no batsman made more than 70. Ashraful took 4 for 34 with his leg-breaks.

There was a less dramatic draw between North Zone and South Zone in Chattogram. Batting first, South Zone were bowled out for 329 with Raqibul Hasan making 79, Mahedi Hasan hitting 63 not out and Tushar Imran contributing 62. Left-arm spinner Sunzamul Islam took 5 for 87.

North Zone replied with 394 all out, a lead of 65 runs. Junaid Siddique lasted a minute short of seven hours while compiling 112 off 307 balls with just two fours. He added 162 for the third wicket with Naeem Islam, who made 83. Ziaur Rahman then gave the innings momentum with 90 off 144 balls, hitting 11 fours and three sixes. He added 117 for the sixth wicket with Dhiman Ghosh, who scored 51. Veteran left-arm spinner Abdur Razzak took 6 for 126.

South Zone ended the game on 248 for 5 in their second innings. Anamul Haque made 66 while Mahedi was unbeaten on 60, while Al-Amin made 75 not out.