After a run feast of a first round, the franchise-based Bangladesh Cricket League will resume its second round today, with table toppers Walton Central Zone facing Prime Bank South Zone and Islami Bank East Zone locking horns with BCB North Zone at the two venues in BKSP.
The first round of the tournament was inspiring for the batsmen, Six centuries and one double century were scored on placid tracks. National captain Mushfiqur Rahim for one was happy with the wickets as he thought it provided the best possible preparation for the home series against Sri Lanka, which will start later this month.
At the BKSP-3 ground, Central Zone will face South Zone. Shamsur Rahman has been a star for Central,scoring a brilliant 267 in the first match in a display that will no doubt force the selectors to consider him as established player Tamim Iqbal’s opening partner in the Test team.
Meanwhile Mashrafe Mortaza, who made his comeback from injury for East Zone, had a good outing in the first match where he took three wickets and more importantly, bowled fourteen overs without any problem. The veteran may also catch a Test spot if he can continue to prove his fitness in the second round.
National discard Imrul Kayes, who scored a century in the first match for South Zone against the BCB North Zone, will be looking to play another big innings and return to the national side. This will be no easy task as there is another strong contender – all-rounder Farhad Reza – who struck 153 in the first round against North Zone.
Current national cricketers were also successful in the first round, with Naeem Islam, Nasir Hossain and skipper Mushfiqur Rahim all amongst the runs, which bodes well for the upcoming Sri Lanka series.
The bowlers, however, have struggled so far although paceman Robiul Islam showed good form in claiming five wickets in the first match.