Jayed rips through Central Zone

ABU JAYED ... 5 for 37

Pacer Abu Jayed carried on his good form from the National Cricket League (NCL) to give his side, Islami Bank East Zone, a brilliant start on the first day of the Bangladesh Cricket League, the premier four-day competition of the country, yesterday.

The 23-year-old scalped a five-wicket haul at the Shaheed Chandu Stadium in Bogra to help bundle out Walton Central Zone for just 224 in 65.2 overs. In reply, East Zone openers Liton Das and Mehedi Maruf put on 95 runs for the opening wicket and ended the first day on a high.

Jayed was not the only successful pacer. Ebadat Hossain scalped two and Mohammad Saifuddin took one as the pacers ran through Central's middle order. The boost from the pacers left Central reeling at 86 for 5 after 26 overs.

Captain Mosharraf Hossain and veteran Mohammad Sharif scored 46 and 44 respectively to help Central cross the 200-run mark before Jayed dismissed the tail along with spinner Saqlain Sajib. Jayed finished with impressive figures of 5 for 37 in 15.2 overs. The bowler, who was the highest wicket-taker in the NCL seems to have kept his touch.

In reply, Liton smashed 60 off 59 balls with three sixes and seven fours, while Mehedi hit 32 with five fours as East Zone raced to 95 runs in 19 overs.

Led by Jahurul Islam, BCB North Zone ended the first day on a strong position as they made their way to 210 for 3 in 93 overs against Prime Bank South Zone at the Sylhet International Cricket Stadium.

Half-centuries from Jahurul and Naeem, who were well supported by Forhad Hossain's 43 and Nasir Hossain's unbeaten 35, helped North Zone reach the dominant position.

The one thing they will be disappointed about is the fact that their batsmen lost their wickets after getting set. Jahurul was dismissed by Abdur Razzak for 65 and Forhad was caught behind off Shohag Gazi on 43, while Naeem remained unbeaten on 54.

SCORES IN BRIEF 

WALTON CENTRAL ZONE VS ISLAMI BANK EAST ZONE 

WALTON CENTRAL ZONE: 224 all out in 65.2 overs (Mosharraf 46 not out, Sharif 44; Abu Jayed 5 for 37, Ebadat 2 for 42) V ISLAMI BANK EAST ZONE: 95 for no loss (Liton 60 not out, Mehedi 32 not out) 

BCB NORTH ZONE V PRIME BANK SOUTH ZONE 

BCB NORTH ZONE: 210 for 3 (Jahurul 65, Naeem 54 not out; Ziaur 1-28, Shohag 1-29)