DHAKA, Dec 14, 2023 (BSS) - Middle order batter Yasir Ali Rabbi hit a century as East Zone beat Central Zone by seven wickets in their second match of the Bangladesh Cricket League (BCL), a premier first class tournament of the country, today at Zahur Ahmed Chowdhury Stadium in Chattogram.
 
East Zone's victory came despite conceding a first innings lead in bowlers' dominated match.
 
Electing to bat first, Central Zone compiled 280 with wicket-keeper batter Mahidul Islam Ankan leading the way with 91. Opener Shadman Islam made 43.
 
Syed Khaled Ahmed and Naeem Ahmed took four wickets apiece for East Zone, playing a key role in restricting Central Zone to below 300.
 
Yasir replied with 120 off 179, an innings laced with nine fours and four sixes, while captain Irfan Shukkur hammered 91. But despite their effort, East Zone were bowled out for 257, conceding a 23-run lead.
 
Khaled and Naeem pair again propped up their game to help the side hit back. They shared seven wickets between them in the second innings with Naeem taking 4-16 and Khaled snapping 3-34 as Central Zone were bowled out for 125, setting just a 149-run target for East Zone to win the game.
East Zone reached the victory mark in 43.2 overs, thanks to a 63 not out for Amite Hasan and an unbeaten 53 of Shamim Patwari.

By virtue of the victory, East Zone put on top of the point table while Central Zone languished at bottom table.
 
Meanwhile, the match between South Zone and North Zone ended in a draw after the former dominated the game at Sylhet International Cricket Stadium.
 
Asked to bat first, North Zone were bowled out for 219 in its first innings with Mahedi Hasan snaring four wickets. South Zone were bowled out for 243, taking a 24-run lead thanks to Prantik Nowrose Nabil's 90.
 
Abdullah Al Mamun, however, hit 117 not out as North Zone declared the second innings on 345-7, setting South Zone a 322-run target for a victory. However, South Zone narrowly escaped a defeat as they reached 172-8 before stumps on day four, the final day of the game.