Sajidul, Sanjamul rescue North Zone on Day 1

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Tail-enders Sajidul Islam and Sanjamul Islam rescued BCB North Zone after a batting slide caused by Prime Bank South Zone on the 1st day of the crucial 3rd round match of the Bangladesh Cricket League (BCL) at the Mirpur Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium in the city Tuesday, reports UNB. In another match at Shaheed Chandu Stadium in Bogra, Marshall Ayub's unbeaten 95 runs and Mehrab Hosssain Jr's 75 not out helped the league leaders Walton Central Zone to post 231 for 4 against, lowest in the table, Islami Bank East Zone at stumps on Day 1. BCB North Zone Vs Prime Bank South Zone After South Zone spinner Abdur Razzak provided an early breakthrough of Myshukur Rahman (7), right-arm fast-medium Ziaur Rahman sent back Farhad Hossain (5) and then opener Jahurul Islam (29). North Zone stuttering at 45 for 3 lost wickets at regular intervals to shiver at 125 for 8 in 49.2 overs with skipper Mushfiqur Rahim (36) making some runs. Sajidul Islam and Sanjamul Islam then paired in the 9th wicket for an invaluable stand of 127 runs. Number ten Sajidul scored 76 runs off 75 balls with nine fours and four sixes while his partner Sanjamul played a 138-ball 73-run innings with eight fours. Ziaur Rahman, claiming two down Naeem Islam (5) and number six Nasir Hossain (0), finished with bowling figures of 14-4-32-4 while Sohag Gazi and Abdur Razzak took two wickets apiece for 94 and 96 runs respectively as North Zone, put to bat first, were dismissed for 291 in 88 overs in the 1st innings. In reply, South Zone scored 5 for no loss in 3 overs at stumps on Day 1. Walton Central Zone Vs Islami Bank East Zone Asked to bat first, Central Zone surprisingly sent Elias Sunny to open the innings with Shamsur Rahman. But after Shamsur (23) was trapped for leg before dismissal by slow left-arm Nabil Samad at total 47 in 15.5 overs, the next three wickets fell in the space of nine runs. Then riding on an unbeaten 175-run partnership between Marshall Ayub and Mehrab Hosssain Jr in the 5th wicket, Central Zone ended the day safely. Ayub scored 95 runs off 135 balls with 14 fours and a six while Mehrab Jr scored 75 runs off 151 balls with 10 fours and a six. Nabil Samad, claiming one down Raqibul Hasan (0) and number five Mohammad Ashraful (4), finished with 3-41 while Tapash Baishya took one wicket for 41 runs.