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Sabbir, Ebadot help North Zone salvage draw

North Zone's pursuit of 284 was dented by Abu Hider's late strikes that gave him a six-for

Sabbir Rahman steadied Bangladesh's chase  •  AFP

Sabbir Rahman steadied Bangladesh's chase  •  AFP

Sabbir Rahman and Ebadot Hossain helped North Zone salvage a draw in Bogra, but it didn't stop Central Zone from staying on top of the BCL points table. The pair lasted the final 19 minutes before bad light stopped play.
North Zone ended on 255 for nine in the fourth innings, having at one stage been on course in pursuit of 284 with Sunzamul Islam making 92 off 227 balls with 10 fours. But Abu Hider's three late wickets, which gave him a six-wicket haul, nearly took Central Zone to victory. Robiul Haque also took three wickets in the innings.
Earlier, Central Zone were bowled out for 220 in the first innings with paceman Ebadot taking 6 for 51. North Zone took a 35-run lead with fifties from Mizanur Rahman, Farhad Hossain and Naeem Islam. Paceman Shahidul Islam took 6 for 64.
Mosaddek Hossain's 104 off 160 balls helped Central Zone in the second innings, particularly after they slipped to 94 for five. Mosaddek added 67 for the sixth-wicket with Shuvagata Hom and 127 runs for the seventh wicket with Mosharraf Hossain, who made 54 off 115 balls. For the third time in the a match, a paceman, Mohor Sheikh, took a five-wicket haul.
In Rajshahi the East Zone-South Zone game ended in a tame draw.
Batting first, East Zone made 473 with Shamsur Rahman hitting 153. He added 92 for the opening stand with Rony Talukdar and later added another 99 runs for the fourth wicket with Tasamul Haque, who made 48. But they got to their eventual total courtesy Yasir Ali's 112, which included 12 fours. South Zone bowlers toiled hard but Abdur Razzak finished with five wickets, albeit at the cost of 171 runs.
In their first turn, South Zone were bowled out for 258, with Enamul Haque jnr taking 4-121 and Mahmudul Hasan picking up three wickets. Mahedi Hasan struck 86 off 121 balls with 11 fours and two sixes, and Raqibul made 66 off 153 balls, to lend the score a semblance of respectability.
Following on, South Zone reached 377 for five on the final day with the help of Anamul Haque's 133 and Shahriar Nafees' 81. The pair added 136 runs for the opening stand to set the foundation that helped them avoid an innings defeat.