Pritom, Amite, and Akbar set the tone with impressive tons in BCL 2026

Pritom, Amite, and Akbar produced impressive centuries to give North and East Zones a winning start in the BCL 2026.

Amite Hasan's Brilliant Knock Sets the Stage for East Zone's Victory Amite Hasan's strong claim to a maiden Test call-up has emerged after his 162 helped East Zone overpower Central Zone. Initially dropped from the playing XI, Amite was brought in as a concussion substitute following Jaker Ali's injury. He played a crucial role, striking 18 fours in his six hours and 42 minutes at the crease, facing 265 balls at the Sylhet International Cricket Stadium. Amite added 161 runs for the fourth wicket with Mushfiqur Rahim, who made 83, and 107 runs for the fifth wicket with Yasir Ali, who finished unbeaten on 79, helping East score 463 and earn a 156-run first innings lead. ## East Zone Dominates Central Zone in the Fourth Innings In a dismal showing, Central Zone was blown away for 103 runs in just 28 overs, a weak performance after posting 307 in their first innings. Ebadot Hossain took four wickets in the third innings, while Khaled Ahmed and Hasan Mahmud took five wickets between them. This victory has provided East Zone with a significant advantage in the tournament. ## Pritom Kumar and Akbar Ali Lead North Zone to Victory At the Academy ground next door, North Zone crushed South Zone courtesy centuries from Pritom Kumar and the captain Akbar Ali. Their tons propped North Zone to 426, taking a lead of 112 runs in the first innings after South had posted 314. Pritom and Akbar added 233 runs for the fourth wicket, after they slipped to 53 for 3. ## Pritom Kumar's Impressive Century Pritom's 155 was his fifth first-class ton, and the wicketkeeper-batter struck 16 fours and two sixes in his 203-ball stay. For South, fast bowler Sofor Ali took 5 for 99, his fourth five-wicket haul, and second in successive first-class matches. ## Akbar Ali's Tons and North Zone's Chasing Effort Akbar, who led Rangpur Division to the NCL first-class and T20 titles, struck his third first-class century. His 121 came with 15 fours and two sixes. For South, fast bowler Sofor Ali took 5 for 99, his fourth five-wicket haul, and second in successive first-class matches. ## North Zone's Dominant Chasing Effort Fast bowler Robiul Haque then ripped through the South line-up, finishing with figures of 5 for 53, bowling them out for 172. Sabbir Hossain then slammed an unbeaten 54 off 35 balls with North chasing only 61.