Young wicketkeeper-batsman Zakir Hasan turned his overnight 156 into a magnificent maiden double hundred while a vintage Alok Kapali hit his 20th first-class century and young Yasir Ali smashed his fourth as Islami Bank East Zone plundered 735-6 declared on the second day of their Bangladesh Cricket League (BCL) game against Walton Central Zone yesterday.

The imposing score at the batting-friendly Sheikh Abu Naser Stadium in Khulna was the third highest innings total in the country's first-class history and the second highest in the BCL.

Resuming the day on 332-3, East continued to send the Central bowlers on a leather hunt with Zakir hammering 211. The left-hander hit 23 boundaries in his 320-ball knock before becoming the fifth batsman out at 453. But there was little respite for Central as Yasir and Kapali combined forces to plunder 221 runs for the sixth wicket. Yasir scored a fine 132 off 175 balls that contained a dozen fours and a couple of sixes. Kapali, the aggressor of the two batsmen, smashed an unbeaten 165 off only 139 deliveries. The 34-year-old right-hand batsman, who failed to do his talents justice during his stint with the national team, hit 10 boundaries and three sixes in his polished knock.

Buried under an avalanche of runs, Central were reduced to 40-1 at stumps. They need to bat out of their skins for the next two days if they are to avoid their second defeat in three games.  

For Central, off-spinner Shuvagata Hom took three wickets for 183 runs. Pace bowler Taskin Ahmed bowled only 9 overs on the second day and was rewarded with a wicket. Fellow paceman Abu Hider finished with 2-67.

Although the runs rained in Khulna, this was not the case at the Shaheed Kamruzzaman Stadium in Rajshahi where leaders BCB North Zone posted 408 before being all out in 106.2 overs thanks to a six-wicket haul from ageless off-spinner Abdur Razzak.

Resuming the day on 213-3, North rode on a fine 137 by Junaed Siddiqui to a competitive score. The left-handed opener, who started the day on 82, actually held the innings together after the early departure of his overnight partner Naeem Islam. It was the 30-year-old's 12th first-class century from 111 games. He struck 13 fours and a couple of sixes in his 238-ball vigil at the crease. He also shared 110 runs for the 6th wicket with Dhiman Ghosh, who made 65. Experienced left-arm spinner Taijul Islam also scored a very useful 54 off 50 balls that contained nine fours and a six. Milestone man Razzak added three more wickets to his overnight tally to finish with 6-107. Pacer Kamrul Islam Rabbi took three wickets for 122 runs.

South responded with 125-2 at stumps, still 283 runs behind. Imrul Kayes, who was not considered for the rest of the ongoing tri-series after missing the first two games due to a finger injury, made an immediate impact with an unbeaten 58. The left-handed opener hit seven four and three sixes in his 63-ball knock. He shared 45 runs for the unbroken third wicket with Tushar Imran, the country's only batsman to have hit the 10k mark recently. The right-hander was batting on 23.

But it was yet another disappointing day with the bat for left-handed opener Soumya Sarker. Dropped from the national tem for his inconsistent performance, Soumya scored 29 before being caught off pace bowler Ariful Haq. The left-hander got starts in all the four innings he has played in the BCL so far, but failed carry on, a problem he faced while in the national team.