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Abahani top DPL point table with third straight victory
DHAKA, March 14, 2019 (BSS)-Defending champions Abahani Limited continued their winning spree in the Dhaka Premier League (DPL), sealing their third straight victory with a hard-fought 14-run victory over Brothers Union at Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium here today.
Brothers’ new sensation Yasir Ali threatened to take the match with an unbeaten 106 but Abahani held their nerves to maintain their hundred percent winning spree in the tournament.
In a low-scoring affair, Ziaur Raham shined with the wood and leather to help his side Sheikh Jamal Dhanmondi Club to register their first victory in third match as they beat Shinepukur Cricket Club by 12 runs at Khan Shaheb Osman Ali Stadium in Fatuallh.
Elsewhere at BKSP-3, opener Anamul Haque struck a 100 not out to enable his side Prime Bank Cricket Club’s a cake walk nine-wicket win over Legends of Rupganj.
Mashrafe Bin Mortaza’s took part in his first competitive match since the ODI series against New Zealand saw Abahani had to struggle to put up a competitive 236-6 after their lower order scored some quick runs at a slow Mirpur wicket. Yasir Ali kept Brother Union in the hunt but lacked support from the other end that eventually restricted them to 222-8.
Yasir was unbeaten on 106 off 112, hitting eight fours and two sixes. The next best was Shorifullah’s 21, which indicated how Yasir raged the war against defending champions all alone but Abahani kept their nerve to survive the Yasir’s onslaught to chalk off another crucial win as they are eying to retain the title.
Mohammad Saifuddin was the top-scorer for Abahani with a whirlwind 45 ball-59 not out, that included four fours and two sixes. Skipper Mosaddek Hossain contributed with 54.
Saifuddin and Mashrafe who blasted 15 ball-26 not out, added 62 off just 32 balls to give the late blitz after Abahani top and middle order failed to pace the innings adequately in a slow and low pitch in Mirpur.
Mashrafe also took 2-39 on his return while Sabbir Rahman finished with 2-21. Brief Score:
Abahani Limited 236-6 in 50 overs (Saifuddin 59 not out, Mosaddek Hossain 54, Nazmul Hossain 44; Naeem Islam Jnr 2-28, Mehedi Hasan 2-58)
Brother Union 222-8 in 50 overs (Yasir Ali 106 not out, Saifullah 21, Junaid Siddique 17; Sabbir Rahman 2-21, Mashrafe Bin Mortaza 2-39, Saiffudin 1-54).
Sheikh Jamal Dhanmondi Club vs Shinepurkur Cricket Club
In a match that was reduced to a 46-over affair due to inclement weather, Sheikh Jamal was shot out for 106 in 35.1 overs and stood on the brink of third straight defeat. However Ziaur Rahman in a sensational spell recorded his List A best bowling figure, claiming 5-23, which stunned Shinepukur as they were skittled out for 94 in 29 overs.
Ziaur earlier also saved the Jamal from total embarrassment, hitting a well compiled 41 off 58 with two fours and two sixes in a pitch where runs looked hard to come by. Jamal’s Indian recruit Puneet Bisht was the next best scorer with 22.
Ziaur’s third career five-for was complemented by pacer Salauddin Shakil’s 4-21, also his personal best.
Shinepukur began well in pursuit of paltry target with their openers Uday Kaul and Sabbir Hossain sharing 46 runs for the opening stand. But when Ziaur made the breakthrough, removing Sabbir for 26, they suffered a sensational collapse against the face of some superb seam bowling display of Ziaur and Shakil.
Brief Score:
Sheikh Jamal Dhanmondi Club 106 all out 35.1 overs ( Ziaur Rahman 41, Puneet Bisht 22, Tanbir Hayder 14; Sabbir Hossain 4-28, Shoriful Islam 3-20, Delwar Hossain 2-14)
Shinepukur Cricket Club 94 all out in 29 overs (Sabbir Hossain 27, Uday Kaul 17; Ziaur Rahman 5-23, Salauddin Shakil 4-21)
Legends of Rupganj vs Prime Bank Cricket Club
Put into bat first, Legends of Rupganj were bowled out for 163 in 46.1 overs with opener Mohammad Naim hammering 52 off 41 with eight fours and six. Jaker Ali was the other notable contributor with 47.
Despite starting well, Legends of Rupganj couldn’t capitalize on it, vastly because of against some controlled bowling by Prime Bank bowlers.
However Prime Bank made the chase looked a cake-walk, thanks to opener Anamul Haque who struck 100 not out off 112, a match winning effort that was laced with a dozen of boundaries and two sixes. His fellow opener Rubel Mea made 45 and was the only batsman to be out.
Brief Score:
Legends of Rupganj 163 all out in 46.1 overs (Mohammad Naim 52, Jaker Ali 47, Naeem Islam 15; Alok Kapali 2-12, Mohor Sheikh 2-14, Abdur Razzak 2-25).
Prime Bank 166-1 in 31.3 overs (Anamul Haque 100 not out, Rubel Mea 44, Sudip Chatterjee 15 not out; Nabil Samad 1-36).
BSS/SMP/SMM/1850 hrs