BCB North Zone and Walton Central Zone got off to winning starts in the Independence Cup, the one-day version tournament of Bangladesh Cricket League, Sunday.
The two games were played at Sylhet International Cricket Stadium and at the newly constructed academy field outside SICS.
North Zone cruised to a eight-wicket victory against BCB South Zone boosted by a joint bowling effort.
Winning the toss North Zone opted to field first and restricted South Zone for only 162.
Shafiqul Islam and Sanjamul Islam bagged three wickets each for North Zone while Towhid Hridoy topped the South Zone innings scoring 55 off 77 deliveries laced with three boundaries.
Chasing the target, North Zone reached the destination in 31 overs losing just one wicket as Naeem Islam steered the innings with an unbeaten 66.
The 84-ball innings featured nine boundaries.
Opener Parvez Hossain Emon scored a run-a-ball 54.
In the second game of the day, Central Zone – featuring star all-rounder Shakib al Hasan – registered a 22-run victory over Islami Bank East Zone in a low scoring game.
Defending 178, left-arm spinner Shakib and seamers Souyma Sarkar and Hasan Murad picked up two wickets apiece to hold back East Zone to 155 in 47.1 overs.
East Zone opener Rony Talukdar’s 60-ball 38 was the highest in the unsuccessful chase.
Earlier, Central Zone, sent to bat first, scored 177 before getting all out in 43.2 overs.
Wicketkeeper-batter Mohammad Mithun scored 37, the most in the innings, followed by Mizanur Rahman and Shakib with 36 and 35 runs respectively.
Fast bowlers Rubel Hossain and Rejaur Rahman Raja took three wickets each for East Zone.
In the second round matches Tuesday, East Zone will face North Zone while Central Zone will take on South Zone.
ROUND 1
Central Zone 177 in 43.2 overs (Rejaur 3/21, Rubel 3/51) beat East Zone 155 in 47.1 overs (Soumya 2/4, Shakib 2/24) by 22 runs
South Zone 162 in 42.4 overs (Shafiqul 3/29, Sanjamul 3/39) lost to North Zone 163/2 in 31 overs (Naeem 66, Parvez 54) by eight wickets
