Khelaghar conquer Abahani in thriller

Opener Imtiaz Hossain’s smashing half-century, while pacer Khaled Ahmed's composure in the last over of the game, scripted Khelaghar Samaj Kalyan Samity's eight-run win over Abahani Limited in the Bangabandhu Dhaka Premier Division Cricket League Twenty20 Monday.

Khelaghar batted first at BKSP Ground 3 in Savar as right-handed batsman Imtiaz remained at the crease till the 16th over of the innings, putting on 66 off 46 deliveries, laced with half a dozen boundaries and three over boundaries.

Alongside Imtiaz, Khelaghar only had Mehedi Hasan Miraz who put up a decent contribution to the total. 

Miraz added a quick 25-ball 33 with four fours and a six, due to which, despite a middle-order failure, the team total reached 164 for the loss of six wickets after 20 overs.

Left-arm spinner Arafat Sunny and off-spinner Mosaddek Hossain picked up two wickets each for Abahani.

Chasing the target, Abahani’s strong lineup lost control of the game, losing wickets at regular intervals. 

Khelaghar got off to a good start with the ball, dismissing opener Munim Shahriar for a duck in the first over of the chase, followed by the big wicket of Mushfiqur Rahim (eight) in the third over.

Nazmul Hossain Shanto and Mohammad Naim came to the rescue for their side stitching together 85 runs for the third wicket.

Khelaghar left-arm spinner Rafsan al Mahmud broke the partnership, dismissing Shanto for a 33-ball 49, while Khaled castled Naim in the 15th over after a 42-ball 49.

With Abahani reeling on 113 for four in the 15th over Mosaddek and Afif Hossain tried till the end but couldn’t take it through.

Abahani needed 17 off the last over, which was defended by Khaled, who gave away only eight runs. 

Mosaddek perished in the last ball of the innings, scoring  21 off 19, while Afif remained unbeaten on 22 off 18.

Rony Chowdhury and Khaled bagged two wickets each.

Following their first loss in the tournament, Abahani are currently third in the table with six points from four matches.