||Desk Report||

Reigning Bangladesh Cricket League champions Prime Bank South Zone started their campaign with a defeat as their batters failed to chase a 266-run target set by Walton Central Zone in the fourth innings.

Replying to a total of 282 runs in the first innings, South Zone were all-out for 281 runs. Central Zone then scored 264 runs in the second innings, before their bowlers restricted South Zone to 188.

Resuming the fourth and final day’s play at 38/2, Shahriar Nafees and Tushar Imran batted well to increase South Zone’s chances of winning the clash.

Though Tushar got out for 40 runs, Nafees belted a half-century and returned to the pavilion with 54 runs to his name. Following the exit of these two batsmen, Nurul Hasan got out for a duck.

Raqibul Hasan and Mahedi Hasan put a halt to the mini-collapse by forming a 42-run stand, but Abu Hider triggered another collapse in South Zone’s batting lineup by quickly removing Raqibul and Shafiul Islam.

Shuvagoto Hom, who had dismissed Nafees and Nurul earlier on day-four, then completed his fifer, as South Zone lost their last five wickets for 17 runs.

The lone centurion in the clash–Abdul Mazid was named the Man of the Match as he formed a decisive 124-run partnership for the 10^th wicket in the first innings which eventually earned his side a 77-run win.