Bowling heroics in vain
An exciting day of cricket yesterday saw Sabbir Rahman score a one-day century after almost five-and-a-half years and Mahmudullah Riyad scalp his first ever five-wicket haul in 50-over cricket. It also witnessed 31-year-old Imtiaz Hossain score his second century of the tournament and Victoria's foreign recruit Chaturanga de Silva hit the highlights with a six-wicket haul against Abahani.
However, de Silva's effort in Fatullah went in vain as Tamim Iqbal-led Abahani escaped with a nine-run victory.
Batting first, Abahani rode on openers Tamim and Avishek Mitra to make a good start as the pair posted 97 runs. However, once Mitra was bowled by De Silva, the floodgates opened. After scoring an 88-ball 63, Tamim was next to fall. Abahani lost their last eight wickets for just 99 runs and were bundled out for 221.
It was a total Victoria could have overcome had they not lost early wickets. During the chase, they crumbled to 9 for 2 after four overs. Mohammad Al-Amin scored a half-century and was well supported by de Silva's 25, which sparked the middle-order, who almost brought them back into the game.
With nine overs remaining, Victoria were poised at 206 for 8 with Sohrawadi Shuvo looking good on 45. However, once he was trapped in front, they were bowled out for 212 in 47.3 overs.
At the Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium in Mirpur, Sabbir's 97-ball 100, which saw him hit one six and eight fours, led the way against Sheikh Jamal Dhanmondi Club. He was well supported by half-centuries from Shanaj Ahmed and Nurul Hasan as Prime Bank posted a powerful 318.
Mahmudullah was the only bowler who managed to provide some resistance and finished with figures of 5 for 66.
After the exchange, Sheikh Jamal crumbled at the thought of chasing down such a huge total and lost early wickets. Slow left-armer Nazmul Islam took three wickets in the first eight overs to reduce them to 20 for 3. Nazmus Sadat, who has a T20 international under his belt, was the only batsman who looked in form, scoring 76 off 103 balls. But those runs were scored too late. Eventually Sheikh Jamal were bundled out for 205.
At the BKSP, Prime Doleshwar continued their winning run, defeating Brothers Union by seven wickets. Imtiaz scored an unbeaten 100 and was well supported by Nasir Hossain's unbeaten 48. They chased down Brothers' 229 in 48.1 overs with seven wickets in hand.
SCORES IN BRIEF
ABAHANI: 221 all out in 50 overs (Tamim 63, Avishek 44, Abul 43, Mosaddek 34; De Silva 6-35 Kamrul 3-38)
VICTORIA SPORTING: 212 all out in 47.3 overs (Al-Amin 56, Sohrawadi 45; Taskin 2-29, Mosaddek 2-34, Jubair 2-41)
Result: Abahani won by nine runs.
PRIME BANK CRICKET CLUB: 318 for 9 (Sabbir 100, Shanaj 66, Nurul 63; Mahmudullah 5-66, Shafiul 2-62)
SHEIKH JAMAL DHANMONDI CLUB: 205 all out in 46.2 overs (Nazmus 76, Muktar 40, Mahmudullah 37; Nazmul 3-36, Raihan 3-57, Sabbir 2-35)
Result: Prime Bank won by 113 runs.
BROTHERS UNION: 229 all out in 50 overs(Imrul 57, Tushar 55; Robiul 2-24, Nasir 2-49)
PRIME DOLESHWAR SPORTING CLUB: 230 for 3 in 48.1 overs (Imtiaz 100 not out, Nasir 48 not out; Tushar 1-12, Nur 1-44)
Result: Prime Doleshwar won by seven wickets.
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