Injured Zaheer likely to miss Ranji quarter-final

Zaheer Khan, who made his captaincy debut during Mumbai's last Ranji Trophy Group A game against Gujarat that ended in a draw, is almost certain to miss the quarter-final against Baroda at the Wankhede Stadium from January 6. It was the recurrence of the right calf strain that prevented him from taking the field during Gujarat's second innings.

Following the draw, Mumbai finished with 23 points from eight games. This meant they were placed third in Group A. If they progress to the semi-finals, they will face either Uttar Pradesh or Services.

Mumbai entered the Gujarat game needing at least three points, via a first-innings lead. As a result, Zaheer, who had hurt his right calf during his marathon spell on the last day of their thrilling victory against Madhya Pradesh in Indore, bowled a long spell in the second session of the first day. Due to the eight-over spell - which meant he had bowled 17 overs in the first two sessions - he was seen frequently stretching his calf.

He looked uncomfortable even during his half-hour stay at the crease as the last batsman for Mumbai on the third day. However, once Mumbai were assured of a place in the quarter-finals, thanks to a 203-run first-innings lead, Zaheer preferred to stay indoors during Gujarat's second innings.

Not once did Zaheer walk out to field, let alone bowl, during the second innings that lasted just over 100 overs. Though the Mumbai team management has officially maintained that Zaheer "preferred to take it easy", ESPNcricinfo understands that he is "all but ruled out of the quarter-finals."

It would come as a disappointment for Zaheer, not just because he was finding some rhythm since being dropped from the Indian team after a lacklustre outing during the England Tests but also because he would have been facing Baroda, his former domestic team.

The good thing for Mumbai is that their regular captain Ajit Agarkar, who missed the Gujarat game due to a sore groin, will be back in action. Agarkar has missed four games this season due to a variety of fitness-related issues. If Sachin Tendulkar makes himself available for the knockout stage, as stated last week by Mumbai Cricket Association joint secretary Nitin Dalal, that will be the biggest boost for Mumbai, especially in the wake of Zaheer's likely absence.

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Uncapped Diana Baig in Pakistan squad

Diana Baig, the uncapped bowling allrounder from Gilgit, has been named in the 15-member squad for the Women's World Cup to be held in Mumbai later this month. Sidra Ameen, a middle-order batsman, who last played for Pakistan in 2011, has been recalled while the allrounder Marina Iqbal has been dropped.

Pakistan last played an ODI series in Ireland in 2011. They played the Asian Cricket Council Women's Twenty20 Asia Cup in October 2012, finishing runners-up to India. Pakistan made minor changes to the squad from previous international series, with Sana Mir continuing to lead the side.

Pakistan qualified for the World Cup finishing runners-up to West Indies during the 2011 Women's World Cup Qualifier. Pakistan are placed in Group B along with Australia, New Zealand and South Africa. They will play their first match against Australia on January 31 at Bandra Kurla Complex in Mumbai.

Pakistan squad: Sana Mir (capt), Nain Abidi, Bismah Maroof, Nida Rashid, Javeria Wadood, Sidra Amin, Rabia Shah, Batool Fatima (wk), Asmavia Iqbal, Qanita Jalil, Sumaiya Siddiqui, Sadia Yousaf, Elizebath Barkat, Nahida Bibi, Diana Baig

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Saker shuns Warwickshire approach

David Saker has turned down a chance to become director of cricket at Warwickshire, saying that the prospect of back-to-back Ashes tours in the next year and the 2015 World Cup has left him "unfinished business" with England.

Saker first revealed to ESPNcricinfo last month that he was attracted by the role relinquished by Ashley Giles last month after he took over day-to-day coaching duties with England's one-day sides and Warwickshire were interested enough to pursue the matter.

However, exploratory talks over the weekend have not come to fruition, leaving Saker to commit his future to England as he prepared to leave on Thursday with the team for their tours of India and New Zealand over the next three months.

He told the Guardian: "I had talks with Warwickshire and it was certainly an attractive offer they made. But it has come a little too early for me. I have unfinished business with the England team and I would like to take that through at least until the end of the 2015 World Cup."

Saker, lives south of Birmingham and, as a fulltime member of England's backroom staff, still must withstand the heavy travelling demands that have caused Andy Flower to relinquish day-to-day management of England's one-day sides to Giles.

Since funding his own flight from Australia to be interviewed for the job, he has played a leading role in England's home and away Ashes wins as well as victory in the Test series in India. He must be due a refund on his original ticket.

His emphasis on the psychology and methodology involved in fast bowling, rather than biomechanics, has had a positive effect on England's fast-bowling attack.

His decision to stay with England increases the likelihood that Warwickshire will follow Giles' initial recommendation and appoint somebody with links to the county.

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Series decided, but emotional finale awaits

Match facts

January 3-7, SCG
Start time 1030 (2330 GMT)

Big Picture

The series is decided and the best Sri Lanka can hope for now is a competitive showing in the final Test in Sydney. They will have to do so without Kumar Sangakkara, who is comfortably Sri Lanka's best batsman of all time away from home. They will also have to do so without Chanaka Welegedara, who has been their leading wicket taker in this series. They may also need to do so without their first-choice gloveman Prasanna Jayawardene, who remains in doubt due to a hairline fracture of his thumb. And they'll probably have to do it without Nuwan Kulasekara, who missed the Melbourne Test with a rib injury. The odds are long, but Sri Lanka can take some comfort from the fact that dead rubbers such as this can throw up surprising results.

On paper, it is difficult to see Sri Lanka posing much of a threat, despite the fact that Australia have shortened their batting line-up by naming Matthew Wade at No.6 and Mitchell Johnson at No.7. Against a strong bowling attack it would be a far riskier move, but against a Sri Lankan bowling outfit missing Welegedara and Kulasekara it may be of little consequence. It also means Australia have four fast men to rotate and keep fresh during Sri Lanka's innings, along with the offspinner Nathan Lyon. By leaving out the uncapped allrounder Glenn Maxwell, the Australians have also ignored the chance to assess how Maxwell would handle the challenge of bowling in Test cricket, ahead of the tour of India in February-March.

But despite the fact the series has been decided already, there will be plenty of emotion at the SCG over the next five days. Both teams will wear black armbands in honour of the late Tony Greig, who was not only a fixture of Australian cricket commentary for 33 years but was also a much-loved figure in Sri Lanka. And the Australians will also farewell Michael Hussey, who surprisingly announced his retirement after the Melbourne Test. Hussey, the leader of Australia's team song, would love to have one last reason to sing it at the SCG.

Form guide

(Most recent first)
Australia WWLDD
Sri Lanka LLLWD

In the spotlight

Ricky Ponting was farewelled with defeat at the WACA last month; Michael Hussey has a much better chance of ending his Test career on a high. Hussey will leave a gaping hole in the middle order over the next year and Australia's fans will enjoy seeing him in the baggy green one last time over the coming days. Hussey enters the Test with 19 Test centuries to his name and given the kind of form he has displayed this summer, it would be a brave person to bet against him reaching No.20 before he bows out. Only 11 Australians have reached that milestone.

Dinesh Chandimal is a batsman of immense talent whose opportunities at Test level have been limited by the settled nature of Sri Lanka's middle order. Now he has a chance to make his mark. Chandimal has played four Tests and scored three half-centuries and if he can perform impressively at the SCG he may force a rethink from the national selectors. There is every chance Chandimal will also be asked to keep wicket. All in all, it shapes as a big week for him.

Team news

Glenn Maxwell has been left out of Australia's line-up and instead they will use Mitchell Johnson as an allrounder at No.7. Michael Clarke has been passed fit to play, which means Usman Khawaja will be released from the squad.

Australia 1 Ed Cowan, 2 David Warner, 3 Phillip Hughes, 4 Michael Clarke (capt), 5 Michael Hussey, 6 Matthew Wade (wk), 7 Mitchell Johnson, 8 Peter Siddle, 9 Mitchell Starc, 10 Nathan Lyon, 11 Jackson Bird.

Sri Lanka will make at least two forced changes to their side from Melbourne, with Kumar Sangakkara out due to his hand injury and Chanaka Welegedara to miss out due to a hamstring problem. Dinesh Chandimal is expected to come in for Sangakkara, while Nuwan Pradeep is the likely inclusion for Welegedara. The Sri Lankans are also waiting on news of Prasanna Jayawardene, who suffered a hairline fracture to his thumb at the MCG. If he is ruled out, Lahiru Thirimanne would likely take his place in the line-up and Chandimal would keep wicket.

Sri Lanka (possible) 1 Tillakaratne Dilshan, 2 Dimuth Karunaratne, 3 Dinesh Chandimal, 4 Mahela Jayawardene (capt), 5 Thilan Samaraweera, 6 Angelo Mathews, 7 Prasanna Jayawardene / Lahiru Thirimanne, 8 Dhammika Prasad, 9 Rangana Herath, 10 Shaminda Eranga, 11 Nuwan Pradeep.

Pitch and conditions

The SCG is not the spin haven it once was, as evidenced by Australia's decision to choose one four fats men and one spinner instead of two slow-bowling options. In his column on the day before the Test Clarke wrote that there was "a surprising amount of grass on the SCG pitch". The weather for most of the Test is expected to be good, although there could be occasional showers on days four and five.

Stats and trivia

• Michael Clarke needs 87 runs to go past Don Bradman's career tally of 6996 Test runs
• Mitchell Johnson will play his 50th Test and will become the 11th Australian fast bowler to reach the milestone
• Michael Hussey's final Test will also be his 79th consecutive Test since his debut. The only players currently enjoying longer streaks are AB de Villiers (80), Alastair Cook (85) and Mahela Jayawardene, who in Sydney will play his 93rd consecutive Test
• Test cricket's leading run scorer and wicket taker for 2012 will be playing in Sydney. Clarke topped the run tally with 1595 at 106.33 and Herath took the most wickets, 60 at 23.61

Quotes

"It's going to be a huge 12 months of cricket and it starts tomorrow against Sri Lanka at the SCG."
Michael Clarke

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Gujarat fighting for survival

Gujarat 244 (Parthiv 101, Chavan 3-54) and 159 for 5 () trail Mumbai 447 (Jaffer 171, Shah 82) by 44 runs
Scorecard

During tea time on the third day of their last Group A game against Mumbai, a couple of the Gujarat support-staff members were keeping a close watch on the proceedings in Rajkot. And it was quite understandable. With an outright loss hovering over their heads at the Dr DY Patil Sports Stadium, Gujarat will be keeping their fingers crossed for Madhya Pradesh to draw the game against Saurashtra in Rajkot.

But by stumps, the situation had gone from bad to worse for the visitors. Not only did they lose two more wickets in the last 40 minutes but they were also in danger of conceding an innings defeat. With five wickets down, including that of their mainstay Parthiv Patel, Gujarat still need another 44 runs to avoid an innings defeat. Add to it the fact that Gujarat have the worst quotient among the four teams that are competing for two slots in the quarter-finals from the group, and it means Gujarat's season would be all but over on the New Year's Day despite starting the last round in second place.

The Gujarat batsmen will have only themselves to blame. Had they applied themselves better in the second essay, they could have been in a much better position going into the last day's play. They would have at least been hoping to earn one point for avoiding a defeat that could have placed them better.

And they had everything going their way at the start of the innings. First of all, Mumbai's stand-in captain and pace spearhead Zaheer Khan didn't take the field. With Mumbai having ensured a place in the quarters, Zaheer had no reason to stretch his right calf muscle, which he had strained during the last day's play in Indore last week. And then, allrounder Abhishek Nayar, who was down with a throat and chest infection, returned to the dressing room after bowling just four overs.

Still, the Gujarat batting line-up faltered consistently. Except for Parthiv Patel and Manpreet Juneja, all the other batsmen appeared to be far from comfortable at the crease. While opener Smit Patel started on a positive note, he holed out to square-leg off Javed Khan - easily the pick of the Mumbai bowlers at the start of day's play - early on in the second session.

From then on, Samit Gohel and Bhargav Merai managed to hold the innings together for well over an hour. However, in the penultimate over before tea, Merai had a lapse in concentration off part-time off-spinner Suryakumar Yadav. Merai's flick landed in the hands of substitute Vishal Dabholkar at short midwicket. Two balls later, left-arm spinner Ankeet Chavan zipped one through Gohel's defence to disturb the woodwork. At 63 for 3, Gujarat were in danger of folding quickly.

However, Parthiv seemed to be carrying on from his century in the first innings. The Gujarat captain, with the aid of Juneja who was the most compact player on the day, scored freely, nudging the ball at will. His run-a-ball 47 included a lofted shot off Chavan that sailed over the bowler's head for a six. But in the very next over, Javed produced a peach of a delivery to send Parthiv back. The medium-pacer generated extra bounce off a fuller length to force a nick off Parthiv's bat and Wasim Jaffer took a sharp catch at first slip.

Perhaps to protect specialist batsman Chirag Gandhi, the Gujarat team management promoted Rujul Bhatt to see off the evening. And he did apply himself till he fell into a trap on the penultimate ball of the day: with two balls remaining in the day, Chavan, in consultation with Jaffer, who was in charge of the team, brought substitute Shoaib Shaikh in at short midwicket. The next ball was obviously pitched on Bhatt's pads and Shaikh latched on to Bhatt's uppish drive to end the day on a high for Mumbai.

While the Gujarat camp was shattered, their opposition was smiling and relieved, perhaps for the first time this season. "We hope to seal our second consecutive outright victory," coach Sulakshan Kulkarni said. "It's a massive boost for us to be able to win two in two, especially after failing to produce an outright win in the first six games of the season. It augurs well for us going into the knockouts."

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Zaka Ashraf reacts sternly to Bangladesh delaying tour

Zaka Ashraf, the PCB chairman, has expressed annoyance at the Bangladesh Cricket Board's (BCB) decision to put their proposed tour of Pakistan on hold a second time. He reacted aggressively, saying that Pakistan will 'reconsider' its bilateral ties with Bangladesh after the BCB, once again, backed down from going ahead with the tour. Pakistan, he said, will not sacrifice their interests for those who do not honour their words.

The PCB, Ashraf said, had not force Bangladesh to tour. "If they don't want to come its their own decision and we didn't force them," Zaka told ESPNcricinfo. Bangladesh, he said, had confirmed the tour to the PCB and the ICC, "three times and still they backed off. Now their own reputation is at stake. If they don't want to respect their bilateral relationship then we will also respond in a same manner."

The most immediate consequences of this breakdown of relations between the two boards over the controversial tour, will be felt at the Bangladesh Premier League (BPL) which will begin on January 18. The BPL is clashing with the Quaid-e-Azam Trophy, Pakistan's leading first-class event. ESPNcricinfo understands that the PCB is unlikely to release most of the top cricketers for the BPL.

"We will take a principled stance on BPL," Ashraf said, "but one thing is sure our players might not be free as we are making our own arrangements from next year." He said that PCB-related commitments may occupy most of the players' time and that, "they may not be bothered for other things."

The PCB has begun its preparations for an impending tour after getting a positive response from the BCB. Tenders had gone out, inviting sponsorship bids for a series title sponsor, two co-sponsors and in-stadia advertising rights for two international matches (one ODI and one T20). The PCB has also moved the domestic first-class Quaid-e-Azam matches, scheduled between January 7 and 22 away from the Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore to accommodate the proposed matches against Bangladesh.

Ashraf said, it was "almost confirmed" that Bangladesh would tour Pakistan, but found it "strange" that they had pulled out from their commitment. The PCB's efforts to revive international cricket in Pakistan, according to Ashraf, was on track. "Soon we will manage to get a better team to tour Pakistan than Bangladesh."

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Beazley takes up USACA challenge

Darren Beazley, former general manager of business development with the Western Australia Cricket Association, has been confirmed as the new chief executive of the USA Cricket Association. He will take up the post in February and will be based in Florida.

Tim Anderson, the ICC's global development manager, and a member of the sub-committee tasked with finding a suitable candidate, expressed hopes that Beazley would be able to bring a greater sense of professionalism to cricket in the United States and satisfy ICC ambitions for growth in the region.

Anderson said: "It is critical that cricket continues its growth path globally and helping ICC Associate and Affiliate Members put in place more professional management structures is an important corner stone in that progression.

"Having been appointed through a highly competitive recruitment process, Darren will now have a key role - together with the USACA Board - in developing such a structure for cricket in the USA."

USACA has not had someone working in the position full-time since Don Lockerbie was dismissed in November 2010, although Nabeel Ahmed, a former vice president, has acted as interim CEO since April.

Beazley's experience in sports administration includes periods as chief operating officer of the Perth 2011 ISAF Sailing World Championships and as general manager of strategic partnerships with the Australian Rules side Fremantle Dockers.

Gladstone Dainty, president of USACA, said: "This appointment marks a key moment for the growth and development of cricket in the United States as USACA looks to take better advantage of the sport's widening global appeal for men, women and youth.

"The appointment of a competent and motivated chief executive to lead our operations was a vital component of an action plan agreed by the USACA Board during 2012, and after completing a rigorous recruitment process, I'm delighted that someone with Darren's skills and experience has agreed to join us.

"The Board can now focus on developing policy and relationships with partners who share our vision for the success of cricket in the USA."

Beazley said: "Cricket has always been a major part of my life and I am therefore thrilled to have the opportunity to assist its growth and improvement in one of the most important emerging markets in the world today.

"I look forward to leading USACA's national efforts, as well as working closely with the member leagues, clubs and partners to ensure cricket's vast potential in the US is realized.

"There is a rich, diverse and long history of cricket in the US. One of my first key projects will be to talk to a wide selection of league presidents, stakeholders and partners about that history and the future. My hope is that this will help encourage the levels of collaboration and compliance critical for the development of the game at all levels and in all forms in the US."

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Playing England bowlers gave me confidence - Pujara

When you have scored Test hundreds against the likes of James Anderson and Graeme Swann, domestic first-class cricket becomes a breeze. So feels Cheteshwar Pujara, who displayed a little-seen side of his batting in Rajkot as he went from 150 to 200 in just 17 deliveries against a hapless Madhya Pradesh attack. Pujara said the belief gained from playing Anderson's reverse swing had enabled him to hit this Ranji season's leading wicket-taker Ishwar Pandey for five successive fours during his fifth first-class double hundred.

"When you have faced Anderson, it gives you a lot of confidence," Pujara told ESPNcricinfo. "When you can play his reverse swing, this becomes easy. It is also about the experience of playing against some of the best spinners in the world, Graeme Swann and Monty Panesar. When I batted in the second Test in Mumbai [he made 135 in the first innings], the wicket was a square turner. If you face those kinds of spinners in those conditions, then this is easier."

Pujara was India's leading run-getter in the four home Tests against England, making 438 at an average of 87.60. He repeatedly used his feet against Swann and Panesar and drew praise for his assured manner of handling quality spin. In Rajkot, he displayed his flexibility on a slow, low and slightly uneven pitch, not committing early against the MP spinners, and playing them late with deft wrists.

"The plan was to play late," Pujara said. "Actually my initial thinking was to play on the front foot because the odd ball was keeping low. But they were bowling a bit short, so I could get singles and also hit the odd boundary in an over. I had a very good partnership with Aarpit Vasavada. We were under a bit of pressure [at 23 for 3]. Once we had the partnership, which was really important, we knew we could get runs.

"The MP spinners were a bit inexperienced on how to go about bowling on this wicket and how to bowl in the right areas. They were allowing me to reach to the ball and I could play my shots. If they had continued bowling on the right length for a longer time, things might have been different."

Pujara said his main aim was to get some quick runs with Saurashtra intending to declare at tea, and that reaching a double was not on his mind. "I knew I had only about a couple of overs to score my runs. I thought of going after the bowling and having some practice for the remainder of the season. And once I had hit two boundaries in an over against their left-arm spinner, I thought if I keep hitting like this I might end up scoring a double hundred. But still, I never believed I could do it. And I got more than 127 runs in a session in the end."

In the 17 deliveries that he took to zoom from 150 to 200, Pujara hit ten fours and a six, including a reverse-sweep and a reverse-paddle off the left-arm spin of Rameez Khan. "They were bowling on the leg stump and the field was set on the leg side. I have practised that shot (the reverse-sweep). Even a couple of years ago, when a left-arm spinner tried bowling from over the wicket outside leg stump, I played that shot.

"That (the reverse-paddle) was surprising. Even I never thought I could play that. I knew there was no slip, and I could at least try that shot. These are the shots you can try after scoring a hundred. You can try new things and even if you end up getting out, there is no trouble for the team."

Such a dazzling display of strokes moved one to ask why he still does not find a place in the India ODI side. Pujara, who averages 56.97 in List A one-dayers, felt it was a just a matter of when, and not if. "That is something that is not in my control. I have always performed in domestic one-dayers. I don't need to worry about it. My time will come. One way or the other I will get my chance to play in the ODI team. I just need to keep performing."

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Mumbai all but through to quarters after Jaffer 171

Mumbai 323 for 5 (Jaffer 171, Shah 82) lead Gujarat 244 (Parthiv 101, Chavan 3-54) by 79 runs
Scorecard

Wasim Jaffer has been Mumbai's go-to man for the better part of his 17 seasons with the domestic giants. As a result, it was unusual for the prolific batsman to go into the last game of the league stage of a Ranji Trophy season without a century under his belt. But when Mumbai required Jaffer to deliver, the opening batsman came good with a big hundred to help the hosts attain the first-innings lead against Gujarat in a Group A match at the Dr DY Patil Stadium in Navi Mumbai.

Thanks to Jaffer's 171 and his 213-run partnership with Hiken Shah for the third wicket, Mumbai ended day two at 323 for five, 79 runs ahead of Gujarat's first-innings total of 244. And the three points that they have in all likelihood ensured for the first-innings lead mean that the 39-times champions are all but assured of a place in the quarter-finals.

Gujarat, on the other hand, will hope for Madhya Pradesh to register a come-from-behind victory against Saurashtra in Rajkot in order to progress to the last eight.

The day belonged to one man, who is reputed for his stylish batting. With Mumbai starting the day at 24 for 1, they had to avoid early damage. And the manner in which Jaffer started the day would have rung alarm bells for Gujarat's bowlers. In the second over of the day, Jaffer first flicked left-arm seamer Rush Kalaria through midwicket and then drove him on the on-side for boundaries. In the next over, he dispatched Ishwar Choudhary's short ball to the midwicket fence with an elegant pull. And then drove Kalaria straight down the ground for his fourth boundary of the morning.

Jaffer, who had missed the first three games of the season since he was on pilgrimage, and then missed the Punjab tie due to a close relative's death, continued his onslaught, despite Kushang Patel getting rid of Aditya Tare. And after completing his fifty off left-arm spinner Rakesh Dhurv, the most successful spinner this season, Jaffer cut loose.

Jaffer plundered 15 runs in a Dhurv over, hitting a six and a boundary over mid-on and then pulling the bowler through midwicket. This gave ample time to left-hand Shah to get into his groove. As a result, with Jaffer scoring at will, Shah could afford to play out a lot of dot balls before starting to rotate the strike regularly.

Jaffer ended the century drought by steering Kushang Patel to the third-man boundary after lunch. His 30th Ranji hundred came after a year, the first since his twin hundreds against Saurashtra while batting in the middle order last year. The century also brought him within one ton of Ajay Sharma's record of 31 Ranji centuries.

Jaffer was all set to carry on into the third day's play. But soon after Shah fell short of his fourth century of the season, Jaffer had a lapse in concentration. With Gujarat opting for the second new ball after Mumbai had gained the lead, Jaffer first played an uppish drive off Kalaria straight to Chirag Gandhi, who made a mess of it. The next ball, another lazy drive took the edge of his willow and flew into the slips, where Samit Gohel took an excellent diving catch. It ended Jaffer's commendable effort, which included 21 boundaries and a six.

But by then, Jaffer, who termed the knock as "satisfying, especially since it was important for me to be around till we ensured the lead", had taken Mumbai to a virtual safety. And the former Mumbai captain had also relieved his team-mates of being under pressure over New Year's Eve and the New Year's Day, since the last two days' play is largely going to be an inconsequential for them.

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Four-wicket over not enough for South Zone

South Zone 343 (Rahman 152*, Mosharraf 5-52) and 216 (Imran 65, Mosharraf 4-68) drew with Central Zone 433 for 9 dec (Ayub 125, Gazi 4-162) and 93 for 6 (Mahmudullah 50*, Islam 5-17)
Scorecard

The match that began with Ziaur Rahman hammering an unbeaten 152 in South Zone's first innings ended with Robiul Islam's four wickets in one over. But the two slow days in the middle, which were also hampered by fog, took too much time out of the game. The match ended in a draw but Central Zone earned two points more than South zone on account of their first innings lead.

Islam removed Asif Ahmed off the second ball of Central Zone's first over, before he clean bowled Mohammad Ashraful, Marshall Ayub and Mehrab Hossain jnr off consecutive deliveries, though he bowled a no-ball before taking the last wicket in the over, depriving him of the hat-trick.

Shamsur Rahman also fell to Islam and immediately Central Zone's chase of 127 runs looked too big. Captain Mahmudullah and Mosharraf Hossain battled for an hour to secure their position. The final day had begun with South Zone's second innings moving towards safety before they collapsed from 71 for 2 to 112 for 7. Tushar Imran and Rubel Hossain added 87 for the eighth wicket to give Central Zone a modest target.

South Zone's first innings was also rescued by their lower-order as they recovered from 192 for 8 to end up on 343 runs. Ziaur's 15 sixes helped him reach a career-best unbeaten 152, with tailenders Rubel and Murad Khan supporting him in valuable partnerships. Central Zone replied well as they took a 90-run lead. Marshall Ayub struck a patient 125, his third first-class century of the season.

North Zone 499 for 6 dec (N Hossain 93, N Islam 82, Baisya 3-63) drew with East Zone 419 for 8 (Ghosh 107*, F Hossain 91)
Scorecard

While there was a lot of excitement in Mirpur, the Bogra game between East Zone and North Zone stuttered all along due to heavy fog in the country's northern parts. Only 244 overs were played after delayed starts on three of the four days. North Zone batted first to make 499 for 6 in two days. They batted only 44.5 overs on the second day before declaring overnight.

Jahurul Islam, Farhad Hossain, Naeem Islam, Nasir Hossain and Farhad Reza all made half-centuries with Nasir getting out in the 90s for the third time this season.

East Zone made 419 for 8 with Dhiman Ghosh scoring an unbeaten hundred. Faisal Hossain, Mominul Haque and captain Alok Kapali also made half-centuries, but it was a game that never had any pace to it and ended in a tame draw due to the weather conditions.

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