Abahani ride on three half centuries
Brothers topple Sk Jamal
Sports Reporter, Dhaka
Holders Abahani Limited continued their winning streak as they flattened newly-promoted Uttara Sporting Club by comprehensive 189 runs in their second fixture of the Dhaka Premier League (DPL) at the Khan Shaheb Osman Ali Stadium in Fatullah yesterday.
Centuries by Nayeem Islam and Mohammad Naim outshone Sabbir Hossains hundred as Legends of Rupganj eased past Shinepukur Cricket Club by 23 runs in the high-scoring thriller of the 50-over prestigious league at the BKSP Ground-3.
Elsewhere at Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium in Mirpur, Brothers Union surprised Lt Sheikh Jamal Dhanmondi Club by seven wickets in the low-scoring affair to chalk up their first victory.
Abahani Vs Uttara
Put in to bat, Abahani Limited mustered an encompassing 285 for six in their stipulated 50 overs largely thanks to half-centuries from Nazmul Hossain Shanto (83), Mosaddek Hossain Saikat (64) and Sabbir Rahman Rumman (not out 61).
After losing opener Kusal Silva cheaply, Nazmul Hossain Shanto stitched together a couple of successful partnerships before his unfortunate run-out. Shanto, who has been passing bad patch so long, hit 89 for the second-wicket with Jahurul Islam, who fell for 45 and another 91 with Saikat for the third-wicket stand that crossed 200-run mark.
Shanto blasted seven boundaries and two sixes in 84-ball 83. Then, Saikat holed out for 64 off 65, hitting five fours and a six.
Sabbir Rahman played a quick-fire innings that gave the total some respectability. He clubbed four big sixes and as many fours in his unbeaten cameo 35-ball 61.
Nahid Hasan picked three wickets for Uttara.
Uttara Sporting Club were losing their wickets at regular intervals to chase down the steep target of 286. Finally they were bundled out for a paltry 96 in 33 overs. Shakhir Hossain top-scored 24. Anisul Islam Emon and Mohimenul Khan struck the identical 16 along with Raza Ali Dar clattered 15.
Fast bowler Rubel Hossain grabbed three wickets, while Ariful Hasan and Sabbir Rahman took two wickets apiece for the winners.
Shinepukur vs Legends
Legends of Rupganj made a brilliant start after being put in to bat and piled up 357 for seven through their initial three wicket partnership that actually laid the foundation of the comprehensive total.
Mohammad Naim hit a couple of invaluable partnerships including 132 for the opening stand with Azmir Ahmed, who got out for and another 93 with Nayeem Islam for the second-wicket stand en route to his 122.
He clouted 108-ball 122, littered with half-a-dozen sixes and eight boundaries. Then captain Nayeem took the charge on his shoulder and enlarged the total further with the help of the fellow batsmen. He was the last batsman to fall for 108. He lashed 11 boundaries and two sixes to stroke 108 off 98.
Shinepukur Cricket Club replied well with bat as they put on 104 for the opening stand of Uday kaul and Sabbir Hossain before Kauls departure for 29.
Sabbir then attempted to continue the momentum with fellow batsmen but he was trapped lbw by Muktar Ali. Of course, he brought up his hundred before being dismissed. He clobbered three sixes and eight fours in 87-ball 100.
Brothers vs Sk Jamal
Put in to bat, Sheikh Jamal Dhamondi Club managed to put on 180 after which Brothers Union overhauled the target with ease. They mislaid just three wickets to surmount it in 36.5 overs. Mizanur Rahman struck the highest 71. Chirag Jani was stranded on 50 with Yasir Ali making 32.
