Gazi Group consolidate lead
Prime Bank, Brothers win other two matches
Sports Reporter
Gazi Group Cricketers marched on strongly in the Walton Dhaka Premier Division Cricket League, keeping them unbeaten still as they beat Sheikh Jamal Dhanmondi Club by 24 runs as per D/L method yesterday at BKSP-4 ground.
The other two matches were also decided through D/L method after the rain intervened in each of the match in different venues across the city.
Brothers Union sealed a 17-run win over Kalabagan Krira Chakra at BKSP-3 ground while Prime Bank Cricket Club eased past Partex Sporting Club by 37 runs at Khan Shaheb Osman Ali Stadium.
Gazi Group vs Sheikh Jamal
Considering the strength of the both teams, it shouldnt be a one-way traffic but such was Gazi Groups performance in the league so far that they came up with yet another facile victory. It was their eighth straight victory that kept them on top of the point table with 16 points. They are now comfortably ahead of the second placed Abahani Limited and third placed Prime Bank by four points.
The match was delayed by one hour and was reduced to 43 overs affair after which, batting first, Sheikh Jamal compiled 232 for 9. Gazi were 114 for two in 20.5 overs when the rain finally brought an end to the game. As per D/L sheet, Gazi was then ahead by 24 runs as till the 20.5 overs, the target was 91.
Jahurul Islam Omee was unbeaten on 49 and led the charge of Gazi in batting. Sohag Gazi removed inform Anamul Haque Bijoy for 12 to indicate a tight finish but Omee, along with Mominul Haque shared 68 runs for the second wicket to keep the side in comfortable position. Mominul hit 46 off 45 with seven fours and kept the side always ahead, keeping the D/L score and rain in mind. Tanbir Hayder though dismissed Mominul, Gazi was comfortably placed then.
Tanbir Hayder led Jamals batting also with 54 ball-57, hitting five fours and one six. Fazle Mahmud and Abdullah Al Mamun gave the side a solid start after which Prashant Chopra built a strong platform with 35 runs knock. Tanbir however fought with determination as Gazi bowlers came back strongly in the midst of the innings with a flurry of wickets.
Even though Tanbir kept hitting ball out of the park, Gazi bowlers resisted other batsmen to dominate them. Abu Haider Rony and Mehedi Hasan scalped two wickets apiece for Gazi Group Cricketers.
Prime Bank vs Partex
As it was predicted, the match was cake-walk for Prime Bank Cricket Club. Even the rain interruption couldnt resist them. The match however started in time but Partex failed to complete full 50 overs quota as they were shot out for 192 in 46.2 overs.
Prime Bank then scored 114 runs for no loss in 24 overs after which rain arrived and no further play was possible. Prime Banks score should be 78 in 24 overs as per D/L sheet but they were ahead of 37 runs by then. And so umpires declared them winner by 37 runs.
The two openersskipper Mehedi Maruf and Zakir Hasan scripted the effortless victory, hitting half-century each. Zakir Hasan was on 55 off 75 with four fours and one six while Maruf was unbeaten on 69 ball-52, smacking two fours and as many sixes.
Partexs start indicated a run-fest as Jony Talukder and Jotin Saxena added 78 runs in just 13.3 overs. Saxena was out on 40 off 41 but Jony kept the side on course before Prime Bank bowler came up with bang to trigger a sensational collapse that saw Partex losing eight wickets for 46 runs. Jony was dismissed on 69 and after his dismissal, all went wrong for Partex. Nazmul Islam was the pick of the bowler for Prime Bank with three for 23.
Brothers vs Kalabagan
The match was reduced to 43 overs and Kalabagan were bowled out for 171 in 42.2 overs with no one reached even 30s. Mehrab Hossain Junior and Muktar Ali were the joint-highest scorer with 28 runs. Manbindar Sing Bisla tormented Kalabagan with three for 23 while Nihaduzzaman took two for 22.
Brothers were 82 for one in 22.2 overs when the rain again arrived. They were ahead of 17 runs by then as per D/L. Junaid Siddique was unbeaten on 38 while Bisla made 31 not out.
