Sk Jamal book last super league berth
Ashraful hits century against MSC
Sports Reporter
Sheikh Jamal Dhanmondi Club confirmed the prestigious super league spot as the last team, leaving Mohammedan Sporting Club in a state of frustration in the Dhaka Premier Division Cricket League yesterday.
Mohammedans spot in the elite six clubs phase heavily relied on the defeat of Dhanmondi Club while they needed to win their game also. Mohammedan did their job perfectly by winning their match against Kalabagan Krira Chakra after fighting valiantly. However Dhanmondi Club ruined their party, sealing a 74-run win over Brothers Union at the Khan Shaheb Osman Ali Stadium in Fatullah.
At the same time in BKSP ground, Mohammedan edged Kalabagan past by two wickets, defying the third century of Mohammad Ashraful in the countrys premier league.
Legends of Rupganj however tasted a shock six-wicket defeat to Agrani Bank at the Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium but edged Khelaghar Samaj Kallayan Samity in terms of net-run-rate to retain the second spot. A win could help them level with Abahani in terms of point, which would have definitely given them an advantage in the super league. However their defeat now saw Abahani taking a solo lead with 16 points.
The line up of the super league now Abahani Limited, Khelaghar, Legends of Rupganj, Prime Doleshwar, Sheikh Jamal Dhanmondi Club and Gazi Group Cricketersas per the point table.
Dhanmondi Clubs spinners brought up the crucial victory for them after their batsmen batted pretty disappointingly to be dismissed for 184 in 47.1 overs. Off-spinner Sohag Gazi and left arm spinner Elias Sunny claimed three wickets apiece to rescue the side by shooting Brothers Union out for 110 in 39.2 overs. Brothers Union however put them in relegation league along with Agrani Bank and Kalabagan Krira Chakra.
Opener Shykat Ali was the highest scorer for Jamal with 55 runs while Tanbir Hyder made 33. Elias Sunny was the other notable scorer with 31. Despite sensing a victory, Brothers batsmen failed to rejuvenate them, specially when Sunny and Gazi were bowling well in tandem. Myshukur Rahman and DB Das were joint highest scorer for them with 27 runs.
Mohammad Ashraful hammered 124 ball-127, clattering 13 fours and three sixes, his third century in the league to guide Kalabagan to a strong 260 before they were all out in 47.2 overs. Ashrafuls commanding knock put Kalabagan in a position of dominance before fast bowler Qazi Anik came up with a sterling bowling performance. Anik snapped up six for 49 to effectively routed Kalabagans way to propel the score past 300.
Mohammedan replied strongly, thanks to half-century from opener Enamul Haque and Rony Talukdar who scored 57 and 51 runs respectively. A middle order collapse though put them in troublesome situation, Taijul Islam held the nerve in the death overs to hit 32 ball-34 unbeaten as Mohammedan cantered to the victory with four balls to spare, making 263 for eight.
Tushar Imran missed out his century by two runs as he was out for 98 but no batsmen aided him perfectly as Rupganj were restricted to 204 for nine in 50 overs. Shahriar Nafees played a fluent 82 runs knock to help the side get over the line in 47.2 overs. Dhiman Ghosh was not out on 49 off 42, hitting five fours and two sixes, last of which signed off the match.
