Prime Doleshwar regain top spot
Abahani well set ton win as MSC struggling against Prime Bank
Sports Reporter
Prime Doleshwar Sporting Club moved to the top spot of the Dhaka Premier League (DPL) yesterday on a rain-hit day when the other two matches were postponed.
Doleshwar took their points to 12 after comprehensively annihilated Kalabagan Cricket Academy by 49 runs as per Duckworth Lewis (D/L) Method at Khan Shaheb Osman Ali Stadium.
Mohammedan could join Doleshwar in the top spot with same points should they beat Prime Bank in the eighth round of the league. But their aspiration looked gloomy with Prime Bank in the advantageous position to seal the game before rain forced the match to go in the reserve day.
Mohammedan were bundled out for 224 in 49.2 overs after which Prime Bank got going well with scoring 41 for one in 6.2 overs. They needed 184 runs in 43.2 overs with nine wickets at hands.
The match between Abahani Limited and Gazi Group Cricketers also went to the reserve day after the Dhanmondi outfit piled up a respectable 276 for six in 50 overs thanks to its Indian recruit Rajat Bhatias unbeaten 88 ball-90. Abahanis captain Tamim Iqbal reached the landmark of 6000 runs in List A cricket as the first Bangladeshi batsman during the course of his 55 runs knock in the game what turned out to be a must-win match for his side.
Prime Doleshwar however posted a huge 287 for six after opting to bat first with their top order batsmen coming all guns blazing against KCA who stunned Abahani in the previous match.
KCAs target was set for 148 in 21 overs according to D/L method as the rain halted the progress. They however made only 98 for four in 21 overs to loss the match by 49 runs.
Opener Imtiaz Hossain Tanna led Doleshwars batting with a fluent 86 off 94 in which he clobbered six fours and two sixes. His fellow opener Robiul Islam Robi also made 50 as the duo combined for a 112-run opening stand. Robi hit six fours and one six in 64 balls before Taposh Ghosh ended his march.
It mattered little with Roqibul Hasan came up with stellar effort once again. He and Tanna shared further 62-run for the second wicket stand to pave a strong platform for the side. Leg-spinner Nur Hossain Munna took out Tanna and KCA bowlers triggered a mini collapse to Doleshwar middle order taking three quick wickets. However Roqibuls 66 and Farhad Rezas big hitting prowess ensured the side ended on a high. Reza struck 34 off 15 with four sixes. Mehedi Hasan Miraz was the most successful bowler for KCA with two for 47.
KCA openers failed to provide the kind of start which needed to gun down the revised target. Opener Irfan Shukkur and Myshukur Rahman added 47 runs in 10.4 overs which clearly indicated they were reluctant to chase the stiff target. Shukkur made highest 38 off 44 while Myshukur scored 23 off 35.
Meanwhile at Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium, Mohammedan was tittering 41 for five after Prime Bank sent them to bat in a juicy wicket. Indian recruit Mithun Manhas and local boy Nazmul Hossain Milon steadied the ship with 70 runs partnership in which Mithun contributed 35.
Milon and Habibur Rahman then added 74 runs for the seventh wicket to ensure the side would cross 200-run mark. Milon hit 64 off 82 with six fours while Habibur smacked 50 off 64 with six fours and two sixes. Mohammad Azim scalped three for 40. Before the rain took the game to the reserve day, Prime Bank was 41 for one in 6.2 overs with Mehedi Maruf and Sabbir Rahman Rumman batting on 22 and 0 runs respectively.
