Bangladesh: Faridpur and Dinajpur in zonal final (9 May 1998)

May 09, 1998

F'pur, D'pur in zonal final

Sports Reporter

Faridpur and Dinajpur moved into the zonal final of the 24th national cricket championship winning their respective two-day semifinals at different venues across the country yesterday.

Mofizul Islam Biplab hammered the third ton of the qualifying round to help Faridpur post a comprehensive 121-run win over Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology (BUET) in Satkhira.

Biplab scored 135 as Faridpur, after electing to bat on Thursday, went on to make a mammoth total of 333 before being all out in 70 overs.

In his 164-ball innings, Biplab struck a huge sixer and 16 boundaries. He was ably helped by Biplab junior who chipped in with 75 off 113 balls inclusive of eleven fours.

In reply, BUET were bundled out for 212 in 65 overs yesterday with Kaiser notching highest 46.

Faridpur's Rahat, the man behind BUET's debacle, captured three wickets for 46 runs while Nasim and Arif evenly shared four wickets.

In the three-day final scheduled to start tomorrow at the same venue, Faridpur will take on Khulna.

Away in Thakurgaon, Dinajpur eliminated neighbouring Rangpur by 50 runs to book their berth in the May 10,11, 12 final against Rajshahi at the same venue.

In a low-scoring affair, Dinajpur were booked for 192 in 72 overs after they had elected to bat on Thursday.

Sumi scored highest 71 followed by Raju who added 45.

Rangpur, in their chase, were shot out for 142 in 53.1 overs yesterday in the face of some inspirational bowling by Shimul who finished with four for 26. He was ably supported by Pappu who took two wickets for 31 runs.

Meanwhile, Comilla and Gazipur reached the Dhaka zonal semifinals winning their respective quarterfinals at different city venues yesterday.

At the Dhaka Stadium, Comilla registered a five-wicket win over Jessore.

Sumon Barua scored highest 37 as Comilla, chasing a paltry Jessore total of 98 in a reduced 25-overs-a -side match, reached 99 for five with only two balls to spare.

Among others, Shipon scored 29 while Rana was unbeaten on 16.

Earlier, batting first, Jessore could muster 98 for nine with Ashique contributing highest 26.

In the two-day semifinal scheduled to start at the same venue tomorrow, Comilla will meet Gazipur who beat Brahmanbaria by 76 runs at the Dhanmondi Cricket stadium.

Besides Nawabganj moved into the Bogra zonal semifinal with a two-wicket win over Nilphamari at the Bogra Stadium on Thursday. The winners will face Satkhira in the semifinal.

Source:: The Bangladesh Daily Star (https://www.dailystarnews.com)