All-round Saifuddin leads Abahani to victory

Saifuddin thrashed a 19-ball 40 to get Abahani out of their misery and help post a defendable total against Old DOHS in the second Bangabandhu Dhaka Premier Division Cricket League Twenty20 game of Thursday at Mirpur Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium.

The match, curtailed to 19-overs per side due to rain, saw Abahani asked to bat first.

Old DOHS bowlers were able to corner Abahani from scoring runs at a good rate with regular dismissals. 

Saifuddin went to bat in the middle with Abahani reeling on 72 for five in 13 overs and did not hesitate to put the foot on the gas.

The left-handed batsman with two boundaries and three over boundaries added 40 off 19 deliveries and boosted Abahani's total to 135 for six at the end of 19 overs.

Middle-order batsman Afif Hossain remained unbeaten on 27 off 29 with two boundaries.

Spinners Mohaimunul Khan and Rakibul Hasan picked up two wickets each for Old DOHS.

An Abahani bowling attack remained true to the right length and areas to contain a young opposition. 

Only three wickets fell in the chase but at the end of 19 overs, DOHS could register only 113 on the board.

Opener Rakin Ahmed scored 43 off 44.

Saifuddin, Arafat Sunny and Shahidul Islam bagged a wicket each for Abahani.