Razzak stars as S Zone clinch third BCL title

DHAKA: South Zone came from behind to clinch the Bangladesh Cricket League (BCL) title for a record third time - the highest in the competition.

Having started the game on 47 points, South Zone crushed North Zone by an innings and 63 runs at the Sheikh Abu Naser Stadium in Khulna, overtaking them to finish with 65 points. Abdur Razzak was the chief protagonist, snaring his ninth ten-wicket haul. Razzak took 6 for 48 in the North Zone second innings, as they were dismissed on the third morning for 115. That was in addition to 5 for 53 in the first innings, where North Zone were bowled out for 187 on the first day.

In reply, South Zone declared their first innings on 365 for 8 in 105 overs, built largely on the back of their top five. Imrul Kayes, their No. 3, struck 107 off 165 balls with 13 fours and two sixes, while the opener Anamul Haque and No. 4 Tushar Imran made 89 and 65 respectively. Imrul and Anamul added 184 runs for the second wicket, while Tushar and Mohammad Mithun added 95 runs for the fourth wicket. However, South Zone lost ground after the second of those stands was broken, losing five wickets for 58 runs. Farhad Reza led that fightback with 5 for 57.