The Bangladesh Cricket League strolled back into view from 21–24 April and, without too much fuss, North Zone and East Zone helped themselves to early victories. North cantered past South Zone by ten wickets at the Sylhet Academy Ground, while East needed only three days next door to see off Central by an innings and 53 runs.
North Zone v South Zone – straightforward once the wobble passed
South batted first, 314 all out feeling par on a tidy surface. Mahmudul Hasan Joy’s 89 anchored things but no-one stayed long enough with him. “We never really locked in,” Joy admitted later. North’s reply began shakily at 53 for 3, the new-ball pair of Sofor Ali and Ripon Mondol finding some helpful nip.
Then came the decisive stand. Pritom Kumar (155) and captain Akbar Ali (121) pieced together 233 for the fourth wicket, turning a tricky situation into a 426-run total. Kumar’s fifth first-class hundred featured sixteen fours, two sixes and the occasional scamper that left Akbar grinning. “He kept calling two when there was only ever one,” Akbar joked, though he was happy enough to watch from the other end.
Sofor, 5 for 99, carried the South attack for a second match in a row; the right-armer’s heavy length brings rewards but also bruises the figures when it goes wrong. “I’d swap the five-for for 150 more runs,” he said, reasonably.
North’s lead of 112 felt decisive and proved so once Robiul Haque ripped out the top order. The seamer’s 5 for 53 pinned South to 172 in their second dig. All that remained was a 61-run chase, completed inside ten overs thanks to Sabbir Hossain’s carefree, unbeaten 54 from 35 balls. “We agreed to have a dart,” Sabbir shrugged.
East Zone v Central Zone – a substitute makes his point
Across the road, East Zone’s match turned on an unexpected call-up. Wicketkeeper-batter Amite Hasan had originally been left out but returned as a concussion substitute after Jaker Ali copped a blow in the warm-up. Amite seized the chance with 162 (18 fours, 265 balls), sharing 161 with Mushfiqur Rahim (83) for the fourth wicket and 107 with Yasir Ali (79). East closed on 463, their final 156-run cushion always likely to bite.
“It’s never nice replacing an injured mate,” Amite said, “so I just tried to make the innings count.” Coach Mohammad Salahuddin could not fault the attitude: “He asked only for extra throw-downs, nothing else.”
Central, who had managed 307 first up, folded for 103 in 28 overs second time around. Ebadot Hossain collected 4 for 35, while Khaled Ahmed and Hasan Mahmud shared five more. “We bowled in partnerships, cliché as it sounds,” Ebadot noted, adding a polite “thanks” for the wind helping his outswing.
Key numbers – quick glance
• 3 centuries: Pritom 155, Amite 162, Akbar 121
• 2 five-fors: Sofor 5-99, Robiul 5-53
• 103: Central’s rapid collapse, the joint-lowest BCL third-innings total since 2022
• 54 off 35: Sabbir’s carefree chase-finisher, strike rate 154
Early talking points
Selection: Amite’s hundred re-opens debate about a Test reserve keeper. The national panel like his improved glove work; this knock will not hurt.
Fitness: Jaker Ali’s concussion will be monitored under the new BCB protocol—mandatory six-day rest, then phased return.
Pace depth: Robiul’s seam movement and Sofor’s heavy ball underline why the BCL still matters for Test hopefuls outside the main squad.
What next?
Round two begins 29 April, venues unchanged. South must regroup quickly; their top three average barely 20 so far. Central’s batting looks deeper on paper but remains fragile once the ball moves around. East and North, unbeaten, will nudge the selectors again if form holds.
There was no great fuss, no headline-grabbing drama—just two tidy wins, a few career-best efforts and the pleasant sense of domestic cricket doing its job.
