The Bangladesh Cricket League (BCL) ODI season started simultaneously in Rajshahi and Bogra today. Batting first against East Zone at Bogra’s Shahid Chandu Stadium, North Zone set a huge target of 336 runs with Akbar Ali’s brilliant century.

East Zone won the toss in the morning and sent North Zone to bat. After opener Habibur Rahman Sohan returned to the dressing room with 20 runs, another opener Tanjid Hasan Tamim and captain Nazmul Hossain Shanto created a fearsome situation for the team. When Tanjid Tamim was dismissed for 54 runs with the team’s 102 runs, North Zone was in trouble, losing Liton Das and Towhid Hridoy by a small margin. However, Akbar Ali came in and formed a strong partnership with captain Shanto and managed the team’s disaster. This partnership added 120 runs. Captain Shanto returned to the dressing room with a personal 68 runs, but Akbar Ali scored the first century of the tournament. He completed his century in T20 mode with the help of 8 fours and 5 sixes in 81 balls. Finally, the team’s score crossed 300 runs before falling into the trap of LBW with 111 runs off Saifuddin’s ball. Finally, the North Zone innings ended with 335 runs.

East Zone’s Khaled Ahmed took 4 wickets. Hasan Mahmud and Saifuddin took 2 wickets each.

Earlier in the morning, Bogra’s Additional Deputy Commissioner (General) Mejbaul Karim released a balloon to declare the tournament open.

A large number of spectators gathered at the field due to the presence of most of the national team’s star cricketers in both teams. Spectators are still entering the field in groups. No ticket arrangements have been made by the BCB to watch the BCL matches.