Bangladesh national women’s cricket team stars, Nigar Sultana and Farzana Haque, created history as they became the first women batters to score centuries in the Bangladesh Cricket League (BCL).

They scored their centuries during the North Zone vs Central Zone match at the Shaheed Kamruzzaman Stadium in Rajshahi.

Nigar, captain of Central Zone, achieved the fate of being Bangladesh’s first centurion in women’s first-class cricket.

Resuming her innings on 85 overnight, Nigar reached her century with a single off Jannatul Ferdous. She remained unbeaten on 153 runs off 253 balls, hitting 20 boundaries and two sixes.

Her innings propelled Central Zone to declare their first innings at 387 for 8, with a 147-run lead. 

Not to be outdone, Farzana Haque responded in style during North Zone’s second innings. After missing out on a century in the first innings with 86 runs, Farzana scored an unbeaten 102 off 226 balls, partnering with Isma Tanzim for a 196-run opening stand. Isma narrowly missed her century, falling short by 10 runs.

North Zone ended their innings at 204 for 1, resulting in a draw. 

In the other match, Southern Zone claimed the first win of the women’s first-class cricket season, beating Eastern Zone by 10 wickets at the Bangla Track Cricket Academy Ground in Rajshahi. 

Eastern Zone, resuming their second innings at 26 for 3 on the final day, were bowled out for 162. Southern captain Rabeya Khan led the charge with a five-wicket haul, conceding just 18 runs.

Chasing a target of mere 9 runs, Southern Zone secured the win without losing a wicket.

Rabeya, who took 7 wickets across two innings and scored 70 runs in her only batting innings, was named Player of the Match for her all-around performance.