Taijul all-round show hands MSC a thrilling win
Sports Reporter
Reigning champion Abahani Limited scripted a comprehensive eight-wicket victory over Victoria Sporting Club at the Khan Shaheb Osman Ali Stadium in Fatullah on Thursday to narrow the gap with leaders Gazi Group Cricketers.
Now Abahani have 14 points in their kitty off nine matches whilst Gazi Cricketers have chalked up 16 points one game less than Abahani.
Taijul Islams all-round performance steered Mohammedan Sporting Club to notch a gripping two-wicket win over Partex Sporting Club at the Bangladesh Krira Shikkha Prothisthan (BKSP) Ground-3 in Savar.
Elsewhere, at BKSP Ground-4, Sharifullah showcased brilliant display with bat and ball that handed Prime Doleshwar Sporting Club a 29-run victory against Legends of Rupganj.
Abahani vs Victoria
Victoria, who are yet to win any match, decided to bat first on the Fatullahs batting surface but their high hopes evaporated when they were skittled out for a paltry 130 in 42.4 overs.
Abahanis Indian recruit Manan Sharma wrecked the most havoc to Victoria by cutting through the middle and lower-order. Sharma finished his bowling figures with 4-21.
He was ably supported by Mohammad Saifuddin and Ariful Hasan. The duo claimed two wickets apiece for the winners.
Only three of their batsmen were able to cross double digits whilst three batsmen walked back to the pavilion with naught.
Opener Mohammad Arafat attempted to stop the rut while wickets were falling at the other end. Arafat, who played till the 27th over, clattered 47 off 78 with two sixes and one fours. Mehdi Mahbub (37) and Mohimenul Khan (11) were the other double-figure contributors.
In reply, Abahani Limited lost only two wickets- Liton Das and Nazmul Hossain Shanto on way to their chasing. Liton smacked a classy 38-ball 50 knock that laced with nine boundaries.
Together with Saif Hassan, opener Shadman Islam then helped the team overhaul the target with eight wickets and 175 balls to spare. Shadman smashed seven fours and one six in his 65-ball 58 to be remained indefatigable. Saif was not out on 19.
Mohammedan vs Partex
Taijul Islam once again starred with bat and ball for Mohammedan Sporting Club. Taijul had accounted for Jatin Saxena (4) and Rajibul Islam (14) during Partexs innings, which was largely inflated by Irfan Sukkur (40) and Rakin Ahmed (not out 46).
Apart from Taijul, Mohammedan Sri Lankan recruit Charith Asalanka also scalped two wickets whilst Kamrul Islam Rabbi grabbed three to dismiss Partex for 229 runs in 49.3 overs.
While Mohammedans 230-run chase were stuttering at 145 for 6, Taijul therefore appeared in to bat and stitched together 76 with Sajedul Islam (27) for the eighth-wicket stand that overhauled the target with 10 balls to spare. Taijul hammered 51-ball 57 that studded with four fours and two sixes and earned the player-of-the match award.
Doleshwar vs Rupganj
Put in to bat, Prime Doleshwar Sporting Club garnered a fighting 276 runs, wherein Sharifullah played a catalyst role. En route to his 82, Sharifullah pulled together four crucial partnerships that laid a foundation for Doleshwar to post the healthy total.
Together with Marshall Ayub, Sharifullah struck 49 runs for the fourth-wicket stand before the latter got out for 60. He then shared 61 runs with Jaker Ali (30) for the fifth wicket and another 33 with Chathuranga de Silva (13) for the sixth wicket.
Left-arm spinner Mosharraf Hossain, who was the most successful bowler, took five wickets for 57. He was aided by Mohammad Sharif and Raza Ali Dar, who both snapped up two wickets apiece.
Legends of Rupganj, in reply, started strongly with the openers Hasanuzzaman (50) and Pinak Ghosh (19) adding 61 runs for the opening stand. Naeem Islam then shaped the innings with an 82-run fifth-wicket stand with Yasir Ali but some disciplined bowling in the last 10 overs contained Rupganjs scoring wheel. Finally, they were shot out for 247-6 in 50 overs.
Player-of-the-Match Sharifullah chipped in with 3-32 in 10 overs following his batting performance.
