Yet another ton from Naeem

Naeem Islam continued his monk-like vigil to score yet another century on the second day of the fifth-round Bangladesh Cricket League match at the Sylhet International Cricket Stadium yesterday.

He scored his fourth hundred in seven innings in the competition; that statement is good enough to understand his form. Naeem also hit an unbeaten 129 to force a draw after his team were made to follow on at BKSP in the last round against Prime Bank South Zone. He was however not alone yesterday as young Nazmul Hossain also joined the party yesterday with a 123-run knock as BCB North Zone took control of the match against Walton Central Zone, reaching 422 for six at stumps in reply to Central Zone's first innings total of 181. After a 47-run opening stand between Jahurul Islam and Junaed Siddique, North Zone lost some quick wickets and were reduced to 104 for four but Naeem, along with Nazmul, wrested back the initiative with a 197-run fifth-wicket stand.

Naeem played 275 balls and hit 19 fours and a six to remain not out on 133 while Nazmul was more aggressive during his 142-ball 123, his third ton in the ongoing league, that featured 18 boundaries before he was bowled by Sharifullah.

Dhiman Ghosh accompanied Naeem with 64 before stumps were drawn for the day.

17-year old Afif Hossain's hundred was the other highlight of the second day of the fifth round. The young batsman batted for more than five hours at the Zahur Ahmed Chowdhury Stadium in Chittagong to score 137 -- his second ton after his 105 on first-class debut against North Zone at the same venue in the third round.

Riding on a 222-run second-wicket stand between Afif and Tasamul Haque, Islami Bank East Zone finished the day on a happy note as they scored 290 for four in reply to Prime Bank South Zone's 296.

During his 238-ball knock, Afif struck 17 boundaries while Tasamul Haque missed the hundred for just two runs as spinner Nazmul Hossain bowled him. Tasamul also occupied the crease for more than five hours and hit six fours.