Table-topper Abahani Limited started the super six stage with a crucial 73-run win against holder Gazi Group Cricketers at Mirpur Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium in Dhaka Saturday.
In the other matches of the day, second placed Prime Doleshwar Sporting Club defeated surprise package Khelaghar Samaj Kalyan Samity by three wickets at Khan Shaheb Osman Ali Cricket Stadium in Fatullah and Lt. Sheikh Jamal Dhanmondi Club defeated third placed Legends of Rupganj by seven wickets at BKSP.
Abahani v Gazi Group
Asked to bat first, Abahani lost in-form top-order batsmen Anamul Haque (eight) and Nazmul Hossain Shanto (three) early. But Indian recruit Hanuma Vihari scored a superb hundred to lift Abahani’s run-rate. Vihari formed a 135-run partnership with wicketkeeper-batsman Mohammad Mithun for the fifth wicket. Vihari made 109 off 124 balls with 10 fours and a six while Mithun scored 72 off 61 deliveries with half a dozen boundaries and a sixer.
Gazi Group’s Mehedi Hasan and Abu Haider took two wickets each.
In reply, Gazi Group managed to score 205 losing all of their wickets in 43 overs. No 5 batsman Anustup Majumder was the top-scorer for his side with 64 while the left-handed Mominul Haque made 46. Left-arm spinner Sanjamul Islam bagged four wickets for Abahani while seamer Mashrafe bin Mortaza notched two.
Khelaghar v Doleshwar
Invited to take first guard, Khelaghar posted a good total against Doleshwar. Khelaghar were in a good position after 34 overs as they registered 180-odd for the loss of two wickets. But Doleshwar took regular wickets from thereon in and Khelaghar eventually put on 258/8 in their stipulated 50 overs. Left-arm spinner Arafat Sunny picked up five wickets conceding 45 runs.
In pursuit of 259, Doleshwar lost regular wickets and at one stage were batting on 172/7 after 40 overs. But from there, captain Farhad Reza played an outstanding innings to pull off an amazing win as he scored 68 off just 37 balls, featuring two fours and seven over boundaries. Farhad was adjudged man of the match for his match-winning innings.
Rupganj v Sk Jamal
Batting first, Rupganj made 260/9 in their allotted 50 overs. Captain Naeem Islam scored 51 while the veteran Tushar Imran was unbeaten on 48. Sheikh Jamal’s Robiul Haque took five wickets conceding just 33 runs.
In reply, Sheikh Jamal chased down the target within 48 overs, riding on a brilliant hundred from Indian opener Unmukt Chand. The right-hander scored 127 off 133 balls, including 20 boundaries. All-rounder Tanbir Hayder made an unbeaten 66 off just 52 deliveries.
SUPER LEAGUE, ROUND 1
Gazi Group 205 in 43 overs (Majumdar 64, Sanjamul 4/50) lost to
Abahani 278/6 (Vihari 109, Mithun 72*)
by 73 runs
Doleshwar 259/7 in 48.1 overs (Farhad 68*, Saddam 3/40) beat
Khelaghar 258/5 (Robi 62, Arafat 5/45)
by three wickets
Sk Jamal 262/3 in 48 overs (Chand 127, Tanbir 66*) beat
Rupganj 260/9 (Naeem 51, Robiul 5/33)
by seven wickets
TUESDAY’S MATCHES
Abahani v Sk Jamal, Fatullah
Khelaghar v Gazi Group, BKSP 3
Rupganj v Doleshwar, Mirpur
All the games will start at 9am
SUPER LEAGUE POINTS TABLE
Teams M W L PT
NRR
Abahani 12 9 3 18
0.859
Doleshwar 12 7 4 15
-0.123
Rupganj 12 7 5 14
0.358
Sk Jamal 12 7 5 14
0.238
Khelaghar 12 7 5 14
-0.18
Gazi Group 12 6 6 12
-0.142
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