ZCZC
BSP-15
CRICKET-DPL-ABAHANI
Six-star Mashrafe demolishes Gazi to keep Abahani rolling
DHAKA, March 29, 2019 (BSS)- An immaculate performance from Mashrafe Bin
Mortaza kept Abahani Limited’s top spot in the Dhaka Premier League (DPL)
intact after he shined in with 6-46 to single-handedly thrashed Gazi Group
Cricketers by 29 runs at BKSP-4 ground today.
Jahurul Islam Omee hit his second century in the league to give Abahani
Limited a commanding total and Gazi Group Cricketer’s Imrul Kayes struck an
eye-catching century to keep the match evenly contested but Mashrafe put a
shed on them to hog the limelight by making the eventual difference.
When it mattered most, considered as best fast bowler, the country has
ever produced, Mashrafe showed as to why he is still the best in the business
despite being in the twilight of his career.
The six-wicket haul also kept Mashrafe just three wickets shy of being the
second bowler from Bangladesh to reach 400-wicket is List A cricket after
Abdur Razzak, who achieved the feat just on Wednesday. Mashrafe wicket-tally
now is 397.
However, opener Jahurul Islam hit 138 runs in 130 balls, smashing 14 fours
and two sixes to steer Abahani to a hefty 286-6 after which Mashrafe dazzled
with a gem of pace bowling to dismiss Gazi Group Cricketers for 257 in 48.4
overs.
Mashrafe struck in his just second ball of the day, dismissing opener Rony
Talukdar for naught but Imrul Kayes resisted impeccably. Alongside him
Myshukur Rahman also looked growing with strength.
As the other bowlers failed to make a breakthrough, Mashrafe again took
the onus to dismiss Myshukur. Kayed remained unfazed and helped the side
fight neck-to-neck.
While it looked he could take the match away from Abahani, Mashrafe
intervened and got the better of him. Before being dismissed by Mashrafe,
Kayes hammered 126 off 118 balls with 15 fours and five sixes.
Gazi’s tail-enders, however, still kept the hopes alive before Mashrafe
came up in his third spell with fire to clean up the tail.
Earlier, Abahani’s much-vaunted top-order, barring Jahurul failed to
convert their start. However, skipper Mosaddek Hossain came up with handy
support for Jahrul to rally the side. Mosaddek struck 71 off 76 balls with
eight fours.
Kamrul Islam Rabbi and Nasum Ahmed snared two wickets apiece for Gazi
Group.
BSS/SMP/SSS/1827 hrs