DHAKA, Feb 24, 2026 (BSS)—Akbar Ali struck a brilliant century as North Zone made a winning start to the Bangladesh Cricket League (BCL) one-day format tournament, thrashing East Zone by 54 runs at Shaheed Chandu Stadium in Bogra

Riding on his power-packed 87 ball-111, which included eight fours and six sixes, North Zone posted a formidable 335 before being bowled out in the final over after which the bowlers put up a disciplined performance to wrap up East Zone for 281 in 49.4 overs.

Skipper Shanto contributed a composed 68, while opener Tanzid Hasan Tamim added a brisk 54 off 44 deliveries to complement Akbar’s cnetury.

Opting to bat first, North Zone suffered an early setback as the opener Habibur Rahman Sohan was dismissed cheaply. Tanzid and Shanto then steadied the innings with an 82-run partnership. Nayeem Hasan broke the stand by removing Tanzid, triggering a brief collapse as Liton Das (10) and Towhid Hridoy (2) fell in quick succession.

Shanto and Akbar rebuilt the innings with an 80-run partnership for the fifth wicket, laying the foundation for a 300-plus total. While Shanto missed out on a century, Akbar dominated the bowlers, dispatching them to all parts of the ground to complete his hundred and put his side in a commanding position.

East Zone’s chase was undermined by their top order’s failure. Opener Parvez Hossain Emon got a start to cherish but couldn’t prolong the innings as he was out of 35 off 28, leaving the side 69-3.

When a big defeat stared them, Mominul Haque and Nayeem Hasan put up a bold effort to help the side avoid a shambolic defeat.

Mominul was the top-scorer for the side with 82 ball-83, a knock studded by seven fours and one six. Nayeem was not out on 50 after hitting seven fours from 43 deliveries.

Leg-spinner Risahd Hossain jolted East Zone with 4-57 while pacer Nahid Rana and SM Meherob Hossain picked up two wickets apiece.