DHAKA, Dec 26, 2023 (BSS)- Mahmudul Hasan Joy hit a brilliant century as East Zone secured their first victory in the BCL one-day competition, recording a 62-run win over North Zone at Sheikh Kamal International Cricket Stadium Ground-2 in Cox's Bazar today.

    In the day's other match, Central Zone registered their second straight victory after sealing a four-wicket win over South Zone in a low-scoring match at the Ground-1 of same venue.

    Joy hammered 112 off 128 with 11 fours and one six as East Zone, which lost the first game to Central Zone by 23 runs on DLS method, racked up 279 before being all out in 49.2. No other batter could even cross 40 with the second best 30 coming from opener Parvez Hossain Emon. Captain Irfan Shukkur made 29.

    Pacer Rejaur Rahman Raja scalped 3-44 while Syed Khaled Ahmed, Nasum Ahmed and Nayeem Hasan complemented him with two wickets apiece as East Zone bundled North Zone out for 217 in 40.5 overs. Pritom Kumar who made century in North Zone's six wickets victory against South Zone in the first match, made team-high 46.

     Being sent to bat first, South Zone were dismissed for just 163, which paved their way to concede the second straight defeats. Sohag Gazi battled lonely to hit 57 off 54 with eight fours and one six.

    Najmul Islam Opu (3-21) and Shuvagata Hom (3-29), the two spinners, shared six wickets between them to scythe down South Zone's batting line up.

    Hasan Murad however scared Central Zone, claiming three wickets for just 13 runs in 10 overs but they overcame his threat to canter to the victory in 49.2 overs, making 167-6. Mahidul Islam Ankan, who hit 91 runs in the previous match, led the charge with 74 not out. His 136-ball-knock was studded with one four and three sixes.