DHAKA, Feb 28, 2026 (BSS) - No. 10 batter Hasan Mahmud held the nerve 
impeccably to help East Zone clinch a thrilling one-wicket victory against 
South Zone in their third game of the Bangladesh Cricket League (BCL) one-day 
competition today at Shaheed Chandu Stadium in Bogura today.

This was East Zone's first victory in the tournament, having conceded defeats 
in the first two matches.

Put into bat first, South Zone were bowled out for just 180 in 43.2 overs but 
made them clear favourites to win the game by taking wickets at regular 
intervals.

After losing two openers cheaply, East Zone bounced back into the contest, 
thanks to Shahadat Hossain Dipu and Mominul Haque who added 52 runs for the 
third wicket.

But the dismissal of Dipu for team-best 42 and Mominul for 29 in quick 
succession, sparked a collapse which saw them lost six wickets for 29 runs.

Hasan Mahmud and Nayeem Hasan added a 19-run for the ninth wicket which was 
crucial in keeping them alive.

Nayeem was dismissed for 20 to give South Zone a hope to wrap up the game as 
East Zone were still 40 runs away from the victory.

But Hasan Mahmud defied the nerve-wrecking moment to steer the side to 
victory in 47.3 overs, remaining unbeaten on 35 off 45. His match-winning 
knock included five fours. No.1 batter Mushfik Hasan accompanied him astutely 
with an unbeaten 4 for which he played 35 balls.

Soumya Sarkar claimed 4-35 for South Zone which eventually went in vain.
Earlier opener Anisul Islam made 50 runs to guide South Zone innings.

However, a failure from middle order batters denied them posting a healthy 
total.

Hasan Mahmud and Nayeem Hasan claimed three wickets apiece with the bowling 
before their batting heroics.