An unusual declaration in the Bangladesh Cricket League has once again raised questions about the rules of the first-class tournament, overshadowing brilliant centuries from young talents Nazmul Hossain Shanto and Yasir Ali Saturday.
South Zone, the leader of the points table in the four-team tournament, declared on 114/4 in reply to Central Zone’s 235 on the second day of their final group stage match at Sheikh Kamal International Cricket Stadium Academy Ground in Cox's Bazar.
Upon investigation, it was found that South’s experienced spinner Abdur Razzak made the unusual declaration to deny their opponent bonus points and ensure a berth in the final.
According to the BCL rules, a team gets 0.5 bonus points if they can pick up five opposing wickets within 100 overs and the bonus increases to 1 and 1.5 for taking seven and 10 wickets, respectively.
South, who dismissed Central in 82.2 overs to pick up 1.5 bonus points, denied the opponent the same opportunity as they declared after losing their fourth wicket in the 29th over of the innings.
However, South, who now have 17.89 points, made an error in calculation and the declaration could cost their place in the final.
A total of 24 wickets fell on the first day of round three of the Bangladesh Cricket League, with North Zone’s @mushfiqur15 and Central Zone’s Marshall Ayub scoring centuries to prop up their sides in the first innings of their respective matches.https://t.co/8jgHPR40sk#BCL
— Dhaka Tribune Sports (@Sport_DT) February 14, 2020
If Central win the match they will fetch eight points to reach 17.5.
However, as they won the previous match as well, a consecutive win will fetch them a bonus point and they will reach 18.5 to leapfrog South.
If East Zone do not lose to North Zone in the other match, they will also stay above South to reach the final.
After resuming the day on 29/2, South lost overnight batsman Anamul Haque (20) to be reduced to 43/3.
Nurul Hasan, who remained not out on 48 upon declaration, carried the innings forward.
Central’s innings was all about Nazmul, who batted at one-down, and remained not out on 122.
A total 24 wickets fell on the 1st day of round three of the @BCBtigers Bangladesh Cricket League with North Zone’s @mushfiqur15 and Central Zone’s Marshall Ayub scoring centuries to prop up their sides in the first innings of their respective matcheshttps://t.co/HJtItoASpv#BCB
— Dhaka Tribune Sports (@Sport_DT) February 14, 2020
The 21-year old left-handed batsman struck 15 fours in his 189-ball innings and will look to thrive further Sunday.
East’s Yasir Ali will have the same aim, as the 23-year old right-handed batsman remained not out on 134 against North at Sheikh Kamal International Cricket Stadium in Cox's Bazar.
Resuming on 3/2 in reply to North’s 272, East were soon reduced to 27/3 but Yasir formed a formidable 137-run stand with his captain Imrul Kayes, who scored 76, to put their side in a position of advantage.
East lost three more wickets after the fall of Imrul but Yasir stood firm at the other end, facing 271 balls in his innings that included 13 fours and two sixes.
Sanjamul Islam was the pick of the North bowlers, finishing the day with bowling figure of 5/92.
8TH BCL, ROUND 3, DAY 2
EAST ZONE 261/7 in 96 overs (Yasir 134*, Sanjamul 5/92) trail NORTH ZONE 272 by 11 runs
CENTRAL ZONE 235 & 209/6 in 69 overs (Shanto 122*, Nasum 3/55) lead SOUTH ZONE 114/4D in 28.2 overs (Nurul 48*, Ifran 2/42) by 330 runs