Nahid Rana, Abu Hider Shine as North and Central Secure Wins in BCL One-Day Tournament

The Bangladesh Cricket League (BCL) one-day tournament continues to provide thrilling contests. In a recent round of matches, North Zone and Central Zone registered impressive victories, thanks to standout performances from pacer Nahid Rana and all-rounder Abu Hider. Their efforts not only guided their teams to crucial wins but also highlighted the depth of Bangladesh’s domestic cricket pipeline.

The matches, played in Rajshahi and Bogura, offered a blend of disciplined bowling, aggressive batting, and moments of controversy that kept fans engaged throughout the day.

Nahid Rana’s Fiery Spell Leads North Zone to Victory

North Zone produced a commanding performance against South Zone, securing a six-wicket victory at the Rajshahi Divisional Stadium. The match was largely defined by the early damage inflicted by pacers, especially Nahid Rana, whose bowling dismantled South Zone’s top order.

After being put in to bat first, South Zone suffered an early collapse, losing four wickets for just 19 runs as Nahid Rana and Shoriful Islam tore through the batting lineup.
Nahid finished with impressive figures of 3 wickets for 47 runs, playing a key role in restricting South Zone to a modest total.

Although South Zone attempted to rebuild through Mohammad Mithun and Nurul Hasan, the innings never gained real momentum. Mithun fought hard with an unbeaten half-century, but lacked sufficient support from the lower order as wickets kept falling.

The disciplined bowling effort ensured that South Zone were bowled out for 144 runs in 30.5 overs, giving North Zone a manageable target.

Litton Das Anchors the Chase

In reply, North Zone began their chase with confidence. Openers Habibur Rahman and Tanzid Hasan provided a solid foundation before the team briefly stumbled with the loss of a few quick wickets.

However, experienced batter Litton Das steadied the innings with a composed knock. Remaining unbeaten on 55 runs from 65 balls, Litton guided North Zone to victory alongside Towhid Hridoy and Akbar Ali.

The win marked North Zone’s second consecutive victory in the tournament, strengthening their position and boosting team morale early in the competition.

After the match, Nahid Rana expressed his emotional connection with the venue in Rajshahi, noting that he had previously practiced at an academy nearby and was delighted to perform on the main ground.

“When I used to practice in the adjoining academy, we didn’t get the opportunity to practice on the main ground. Now we are playing a match. I have played here before; now I’m trying to use that experience,” said the express pacer.

Abu Hider’s Explosive Knock Powers Central Zone

While North Zone dominated in Rajshahi, the other match of the day in Bogura delivered drama and excitement as Central Zone defeated East Zone by five wickets.

Batting first, East Zone posted 237 runs for nine wickets in 50 overs. Although several batters contributed useful runs, none were able to convert their starts into a big score. The highest individual contribution came from Zakir Hasan, who scored 45 runs.

Central Zone’s bowlers kept things under control, with Rakibul Hasan leading the attack by taking three wickets for 27 runs, while Taskin Ahmed and Ripon Mondol also chipped in with key breakthroughs.

Despite the steady bowling, the match gained attention due to a controversial moment when East Zone captain Yasir Ali questioned an umpiring decision involving a catch near the boundary rope.

Turning Point: Abu Hider’s Match-Winning Performance

The chase was not entirely smooth for Central Zone, but the game changed dramatically when Abu Hider stepped in. Known primarily for his bowling, the all-rounder delivered an explosive batting display that turned the match on its head.

Abu Hider smashed 66 runs off just 42 balls, hitting six boundaries and four sixes and  Mohammad Naim stayed firm in his innings of 83 off 98 to steer Central Zone closer to victory.
His aggressive innings ensured Central Zone crossed the finish line despite earlier setbacks.

Adding further value, Abu Hider also contributed with the ball, taking one wicket for 49 runs during the match, demonstrating his effectiveness as an all-round performer.

After the match, he emphasized his commitment to contributing in all departments, stating that although bowling remains his primary role, he is always ready to help the team with the bat when required.

‘I try to give the best in all three departments. My primary role is bowling; alhamdulillah, it went well today. I am happy to be able to finish the game for my team,’ he said.

Importance of the Bangladesh Cricket League

The Bangladesh Cricket League plays a vital role in the country’s domestic cricket structure. Organized by the Bangladesh Cricket Board, after the team missed out the ongoing T20 World Cup in India and Sri Lanka, the tournament features regional teams competing in List A format and serves as a platform for players to prove themselves at a competitive level.

It also allows selectors to evaluate potential candidates for national duty, while experienced players get an opportunity to regain form and mentor younger teammates. Over the years, many cricketers who performed well in the BCL have gone on to represent Bangladesh internationally.

Matches like the ones featuring Nahid Rana and Abu Hider underline how the competition continues to nurture talent across different departments of the game.

Rising Stars in Bangladesh Domestic Cricket

Performances such as Nahid Rana’s pace bowling and Abu Hider’s match-winning all-round display highlight the growing strength of Bangladesh’s domestic circuit.

Nahid’s ability to exploit early conditions and dismantle top orders shows his potential as a future asset for higher levels of cricket. Similarly, Abu Hider’s versatility demonstrates how modern cricket increasingly values players who can contribute both with bat and ball.

Meanwhile, experienced international cricketers like Litton Das also play an important role in domestic tournaments, providing stability and guiding younger players through pressure situations.

Taskin’s Return

Bangladesh national team pacer Taskin Ahmed made a swift returning to the field following an injury. He hopes to improve gradually after he has made a comeback in the ongoing Bangladesh Cricket League one-day version on Thursday.

Taskin bowled his full quota of 10 overs for Central Zone as his team defeated East Zone by five wickets at the Shaheed Chandu Stadium in Bogura.

“I was sick for a while, which is why I stopped bowling. I needed to gradually increase my bowling workload. That is why I sat out of the first match and opted to play in the second match,’ Taskin told the reporters in Bogura on Thursday.

In a Nutshell

The latest round of the Bangladesh Cricket League one-day competition showcased the excitement and competitive spirit of domestic cricket in Bangladesh. With Nahid Rana delivering a decisive bowling performance and Abu Hider producing a stunning all-round display, North Zone and Central Zone secured memorable victories.

Such matches underline the importance of domestic tournaments in shaping the future of Bangladesh cricket. They not only entertain fans but also help identify the next generation of cricketers capable of representing the country on the international stage.

As the BCL continues, performances like these will remain central to the tournament’s narrative—demonstrating that Bangladesh’s cricketing future is being built match by match in its domestic arenas.