Shadman, Khaled lead South Zone to sixth BCL title

Shadman Islam's double century and Khaled Ahmed's five-wicket haul helped South Zone to their sixth Bangladesh Cricket League (BCL) title with an innings and 33-run win over Central Zone in the finale in Cox's Bazar on Tuesday.

Having forced defending champions Central Zone to follow-on, South needed seven more wickets on Day 4 to skittle out Central for the second time in this match played at the Sheikh Kamal International Stadium in Cox's Bazar.

And they did so with ease, despite some rearguard action from Abu Hider Rony and Mohammad Sharifullah.

Rony scored 77 while Sharifullah made 63 as Central delayed the inevitable after the top-order failed miserably, with Mohammad Mithun's 49 coming as the third highest of the innings.

Central were eventually bowled out for 237 runs in their second innings, thanks to five wickets for 74 runs from national team pacer Khaled Ahmed. Former national team spinner Nazmul Islam Apu took three wickets.

With 230 runs in their first innings, the second innings effort means Central fell 33 runs short of what South had scored (500/5 declared) the only innings they batted in this match. Former Test opener of the national team, Shadman Islam, had scored 246 runs in that while veteran Marshal Ayub had scored an unbeaten 120.