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DHAKA, Feb 23, 2026 (BSS) — 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 today.

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.