round of the Bangladesh Cricket League (BCL) as Central Zone declared their first innings on a huge first innings total of 588 for eight at the Sheikh Kamal International Stadium in Cox's Bazar yesterday. East Zone also made a good

Rakibul Hasan converted his first-day ton into a double and Tanveer Haider hit a hundred on the second day of the fourth

in the tourist town to watch the BCL matches.

"The wickets are good for batting but they also have some bounce. Unfortunately our pace bowlers lacked variety. On this kind of wicket one cannot be successful bowling wicket to wicket; rather one should earn the scalp," he added.

At the other ground, a 118-run opening partnership between Anamul Haque and Shahriar Nafees helped South Zone end the day on a happy note after North Zone were

reply as they finished the day on 142 for two thanks to Mominul Haque's 92-ball 89 that featured 10 boundaries.

Resuming the day on 119 runs, Rakibul Hasan ended with 228 off 338 balls, an innings studded with 19 fours and two sixes. The 28-year old Rakibul, who played nine Tests and 55 GDIs, is the only batsman in the country to make a triple hundred in first-class cricket, for Barisal Division against Sylhet Division in 2007.

"Rakibul played a good positive knock. It was nice to see the players making runs but I was really impressed with the batting of Mominul. It was nice to watch the left-hander's batting," said selector Habibul Bashar, who is now staying

all out for 296. Anamul scored 70 off 116 balls, smashing four fours and two sixes, while Nafees contributed 52 off 90 balls with seven boundaries.

Veteran Tushar Imran remained not out on 60.