Published: 02:00 AM, 25 February 2026
Akbar blitz lights up BCL one-day opening day
Afif's ton leads South Zone to win over Central Zone
Former Under-19 World Cup winning captain Akbar Ali marked the opening day of the Bangladesh Cricket League (BCL) one-day format with a brilliant century, continuing his rich vein of form across different levels of cricket.
Despite leading Bangladesh to Under-19 World Cup glory in 2020, Akbar has yet to cement his place in the national side, while many of his teammates from that triumphant squad have already established themselves at the highest level.
However, his recent performances have reignited hopes of realizing his long-cherished dream soon.
Playing for North Zone under the leadership of Najmul Hossain Shanto, Akbar smashed a scintillating 111 off just 87 balls, featuring eight fours and six sixes, once again underlining his credentials as a consistent performer.
Riding on his power-packed century, North Zone posted a formidable 335 before being bowled out in the final over. Skipper Shanto contributed a composed 68, while opener Tanzid Hasan Tamim added a brisk 54 off 44 deliveries.
Opting to bat first, North Zone suffered an early setback with the dismissal of opener Habibur Rahman Sohan. 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 narrowly 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.
Meanwhile, Afif Hossain hit a brilliant century while Mohammad Mithun smashed a fluent half-century as South Zone romped to a comprehensive 7-wicket victory over Central Zone in the first-leg match of the Bangladesh Cricket League (BCL) one-day tournament at Rajshahi Divisional Stadium at the same day.
Riding on three half-centuries from Naim Sheikh, Mahfijul Islam Robin and Mahidul Islam Ankon Central Zone put up 264-7 but Afif and Mithun made a mockery of the chase, leading South Zone to winning total of 267-3 in just 45.3 overs.
South Zone's chase was marred by the first-ball duck of Soumya Sarkar but opener Anisul Islam and Zawad Abrar steadied the innings with 81-run partnership.
Both of them, however, missed out on half-century with Anisul out on 43 and Zawad on 40.
Afif and Mithun then took the onus, adding a 159-run in an unbeaten fourth wicket stand which steered the side to the victory with incredible ease.
Afif was unbeaten on 100 off 86 clattering eight fours and five sixes while Mithun was on 72 with seven fours and three sixes after playing 65 balls.
Naim Sheikh, Mahfijul Islam Robin and Mahidul Islam Ankon drove Central Zone's innings after they were asked to bat first.
Naim was the top-scorer with 69 while Ankon made 67.
Naim and Mahfijul who contributed 63, added 93 runs for the second wickets after the departure of Saif Hasan on 19.
Tanvir Islam broke the partnership by dismissing Naim before Mahfijul and Mahibul shared 59-run for the third wicket.
However, once Soumya Sarkar broke through with the wicket of Robin, Central Zone innings faced a hiccup that lost last seven wickets of 80 runs, effectively denying them a 300-plus total.
