Rising spinner Taijul Islam made the headlines on the first day of the second round of Bangladesh Cricket League as the BCB North Zone’s left-arm orthodox claimed seven wickets against Islami Bank East Zone at BKSP-2 yesterday. However, Mominul Haque was also seen in fine touch as his valiant 94 on the “mystery” pitch made sure East Zone finished the day on a good note.
The bowlers came up with a perfect reply to the batsmen, who dominated the first round of the league, as a total of 25 wickets fell on the day over the two grounds at BKSP. The placid batting tracks no longer existed and gave away vicious turn to the spinners who cashed in to make the most of it.
The Iqbal brothers, Nafees and Tamim, opened the innings for East Zone only to be shocked with the variation of bounce in the first three deliveries. Off Farhad Reza’s over, the first ball skidded low while the next two bounced over the head of Tamim as the on-field umpires immediately stopped the play which resumed after two and a half hours.
“I spoke to the umpire after the first two deliveries and he asked to see what happens in the next ball,” said Nafees, who was at the non-striking end, before adding that the umpires stopped the play once the third ball also produced abnormal bounce.
However, the match resumed at 12:10pm and this time the wicket showed a different colour as the balls spun viciously. Mominul and Rajin Saleh (38) showed excellent skills to add 93 for the third wicket before Alok Kapali also batted cautiously to notch a fifty. Mominul on 94 became one of Taijul’s victims as the latter finished the day with seven for 67. At stumps East Zone were 261 for eight.
Meanwhile in the other match, Sohag Gazi and Abdur Razzak shared seven wickets between them to bowl out Walton Central Zone for 165 before Prime Bank South Zone themselves struggled to reach 196-7 at the end of the day at BKSP-3.
Asked to bat, Central Zone were pushed to back foot after they found themselves reeling at 67-5 in the first hour. However, Mahmudullah (38) and Nurul Hasan (30) staged a fight back by putting on 57 under pressure before they were eventually bowled out for 165.
Mahmudullah also led with the ball for Central as his five-for kept South Zone on the edge, but Mithun Ali’s quick-fire 88 off 89 secured the first innings lead for the South’s. Mithun struck six fours and seven sixes during his 98-run fourth wicket stand with Taibur Parvez (31).
