||Desk Report||

A last-wicket partnership again saved the Walton Central Zone, as they set a 266-run total for Prime Bank South Zone after securing a one-run first innings lead in Bangladesh Cricket League.

The 10^th wicket stand of 79 runs between Shahidul Islam and Robiul Haque on the third day of the game was no less crucial than the 124-run partnership that Shahidul had formed with centurion Abdul Mazid for the last wicket in the first innings.

Unlike the first innings, Shahidul remained unbeaten this time. His half-century in the first innings was followed by a crucial 41-run knock in the second, while Robiul also contributed 37 runs to the total.

Liton Das, who was out for a duck in his previous innings, made 84 runs on day-three while the other batsmen failed to put up any substantial knock.

Mahedi Hasan was the pick of the South Zone bowlers, claiming his maiden first-class fifer. However, their batters could not finish the day in a confident manner, as they became two down for 38 runs at stumps.

Abu Hider bagged both the wickets for Central Zone, removing Anamul Haque (5) and Fazle Mahmud (11).

South Zone will need 238 more runs on the fourth day to seal a victory. Opener Shahriar Nafees, on 11, will resume the innings for the team along with another experienced batsman Tushar Imran, who finished unbeaten on 10 runs.