A day of oddities
A team which had displayed their batting prowess in their previous match to manage a thrilling last-ball win faced an embarrassing batting collapse. A leg-spinner, who began the league with a bang, not only got success with the leather, but also showed uncharacteristic batting strength to ensure victory for his side. A battle-hardened fighter once again showed his character and played through fever, although his four-wicket haul ultimately went in vain as his side's losing streak continued. These were the highlights of the third round of the Dhaka Premier League across three different venues yesterday.
Mahmudullah Riyad-led Sheikh Jamal Dhanmondi Club showed batting depth to overtake Abahani's huge total in the previous match at Mirpur, but yesterday at Khan Shaheb Osman Ali in Fatullah they were bundled out for a paltry 99 runs against Prime Doleshwar Sporting Club. Riding on Rokibul Hasan's unbeaten half-century, Prime Doleshwar romped to the target in 20.1 overs with eight wickets in hand to maintain their unbeaten run.
“There was nothing wrong with the wicket, rather we showed too much aggression,” said Jamal batsman Marshall Ayub as he attempted to explain the reason behind their batting failure.
Pacer Al-Amin Hossain initiated the carnage by removing last match's centurion Mahbubul Karim. Medium pacer Farhad Reza then appeared as wrecker-in-chief by taking the wickets of Joyraz Sheik, Nazmus Sadat, Riyad and Sohag Gazi, while left-arm spinner Sunzamul Islam picked up three wickets. Al-Amin later returned to dismiss Ayub.
Angelo Perera (33) and Riyad (24) were the only batsmen to get into double-digits.
At BKSP, leg-spinner Jubair Hossain -- returning after a one-match break -- was a bit expensive but played a vital part in demolishing Brothers Union's top-order, taking four for 44 in seven overs. However, in the end it was his contribution with the bat along with Saqlain Sajib that helped Abahani return to winning ways. Requiring eight runs from the last over, Jubair managed one run from the first ball against Asif Hasan and after that Saqlain played two dot balls before he hit a boundary and a six to chase down the 245-run target with a ball and two wickets to spare.
Before the tense finale however, Jubair eased the pressure. When he came in to bat, Abahani needed 28 runs from 17 balls. He hit two magnificent boundaries during his first over at the crease and then smote a six during his 10-ball 19 which, coupled with his bowling, brought him the man-of-the-match award.
Before the unbeaten 31-run partnership between Saqlain and Jubair it was Uday Kaul (59) and Mosaddek Hossain (47) who set the foundation for Abahani's chase.
Earlier, Brothers suffered a collapse that saw them slip to 149 for 6 despite cruising on 128 for 1, as Jubair took four wickets. Imrul Kayes made 69 off 82 balls, smashing seven fours and a six.
At the Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium in Mirpur, brave-heart Mashrafe Bin Mortaza took the field despite suffering from fever and captured four wickets, but Prime Bank Cricket Club still scored 280 runs before being bowled out.
Prime Bank captain Shuvagata Hom showed all-round performance to help his side to a 47-run win over Kalabagan Krira Chakra.
Hom top-scored with a 54-ball 60, blasting six fours and two sixes, while Sabbir Rahman and Taibur Rahman also scored half-centuries.
Kalabagan began well in the chase with openers Shadman Islam and Jasimuddin adding 79 but they ultimately folded for 233 in 45.4 overs despite Hamilton Maskadza's 61.
Left-arm spinner Raihan Uddin, making his one-day debut, was Prime Bank's most successful bowler, taking four wickets.
SCORES IN BRIEF
SHEIKH JAMAL: 99 all out in 27.1 overs (Perera 33, Mahmudullah 24; Farhad 4-20, Al-Amin 2-25)
PRIME DOLESHWAR: 101 for 2 (Rakibul 53 not out, Silva 27 not out; Shafiul 1-12, Gazi 1-20)
Result: Prime Doleshwar won by eight wickets.
PRIME BANK: 280 all out in 48.4 overs (Shuvagata 60, Sabbir 53, Taibur 52; Mashrafe 4-56, Dewan 2-44, Sharifullah 2-56)
KALABAGAN KC: 233 all out in 45.4 overs (Masakadza 61, Sadman 45; Raihan 4-38, Shuvagata 2-44, Rubel 2-51)
Result: Prime Bank Cricket Club won by 47 runs.
BROTHERS: 244 for 9 (Imrul 69, Nur 39, Sadiqur 38 not out; Jubair 4-44, Taskin 2-45)
ABAHANI: 248 for 8 (Kaul 59, Mosaddek 47, Abul 23, Saqlain 20 not out, Jubair 19 not out; Nur 2-29, Tushar 2-39)
Result: Abahani won by two wickets and one ball to spare.
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