Nahid, Shoriful fire North Zone to brink of BCL final

Fast bowlers Nahid Rana and Shoriful Islam ripped South Zone apart with a fiery new-ball burst as North Zone marched to a comfortable six-wicket win in the Bangladesh Cricket League on Thursday, moving to the verge of the final.

In a morning start at Rajshahi Divisional Stadium, South Zone’s top-order crumbled inside four overs after North captain Najmul Hossain Shanto opted to bowl.

Nahid and Shoriful reduced them to four down for next to nothing, dismissing Anisul Islam Emon, Soumya Sarkar, Jawad Abrar and Afif Hossain Dhrubo before any could reach double figure.

Mohammad Mithun led a recovery with skipper Nurul Hasan Sohon, adding 50 before Nahid returned to break the stand. Sohon made 24, while Mithun later shared a 51-run partnership with Robiul Haque, who struck 29 off 22 balls.

Mithun remained unbeaten on 55 from 79 deliveries, hitting six fours and a six, but South Zone were bowled out for 146 — a total that never looked enough.

Nahid and SM Meherob Hasan claimed three wickets each, while Shoriful and Mukidul Islam Mugdho took two apiece.

North Zone stumbled early in the chase despite a costly opening over from Mustafizur Rahman. The experienced left-armer bounced back to remove Habibur Rahman Soham, Tanzid Hasan Tamim and Shanto, leaving North in trouble at 37-3.

Litton Kumer Das and Towhid Hridoy then steadied the innings with an 80-run partnership. Hridoy made 33 before falling, but Litton anchored the chase with an unbeaten 55 off 65 balls to see his side home inside 26 overs.

Akbar Ali added a brisk 19 down the order as North Zone sealed their second win in as many matches.

With two victories from two games, North Zone are all but assured of a place in the 3 March final, needing only to avoid a heavy defeat against Central Zone in their final group fixture.