DHAKA, Dec 20, 2023 (BSS)-Fast bowler Syed Khaled Ahmed claimed his career-

best 11-90 in a first class match as East Zone clinched its maiden title of
Bangladesh Cricket League (BCL), which is considered as the prime first class
tournament of the country, crushing North Zone by an innings and 112 runs at
Sylhet International Cricket Stadium today.

East Zone won two matches and drew one, which helped them collect highest 20
points. Central Zone became runners-up for the consecutive second time after
securing 10 points. They won one, lost one and drew one. Other two teams of
the tournament-North Zone and South Zone had four points each but the former
finished third.

Thanks to Khaled's fiery bowling, East Zone completed the victory inside
three days as the fast bowler snared 7-50 in the second innings of North Zone
to lead the side to innings victory.

Khaled snapped up 4-40 in the first innings as North Zone, which was asked to
bat first, were skittled out for just 108. Another fast bowler Rejaur Rahman
Raja also grabbed 4-40 to complement Khaled's effort.

Abdullah Al Mamun with 26 was the top-scorer for North Zone in its first
innings.

Mominul Haque however continued his rich vein of form, hitting 117 off 167
with 11 fours and two sixes as East Zone racked up 352 before being all out.
Opener Parvez Hossain Emon scored 90 and Shahadat Hossain Dipu contributed
56.

Khaled however ensured that East Zone batters won't have to bat for the
second time in the match as he demonstrated a lethal bowling show to wrap
North Zone's second innings for just 132 runs. Captain Akbar Ali made team-
high 33.

Raja took 2-26 to play the second fiddle to Khaled's seven-wicket haul.

Central Zone also sealed a victory inside three days, whacking South Zone
past by 10 wickets at Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium.

Being sent to bat first, South Zone were bowled out for 214 in its first
innings with Mon Khan making highest 75.

Naeem Islam hit 89 and Mahidul Islam Ankan scored 66 as Central Zone put up
248 before being all out.

With the deficit of 34, South Zone tasted a sensational collapse in its
second innings and were bundled out for just 49 runs, leaving Central a
target of just 16 runs to win the game.

Pacer Abu Haider Rony bagged four wickets for just six runs while his fellow
new ball bowler Shohidu Islam took three for seven runs to wreck havoc on
South Zone. Salahuddin Shakil complemented them with 2-13.

South Zone reached the target without losing any wicket.