Gazi Tank blow Kalabagan away

Gazi Tank’s Rokibul Hasan pulls one towards mid-wicket during his 64-ball 98 against Kalabagan Cricket Academy at the Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium in Mirpur yesterday. PHOTO: STAR

In a breathtaking display of batting pyrotechnics, Gazi Tank Cricketers got off to a winning start in the Super League round of the Dhaka Premier League yesterday when they brushed aside Kalabagan Cricket Academy by a massive 142 runs courtesy of a late blitzkrieg from Rokibul Hasan and Ryan ten Doeschate at the Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium yesterday.
In the day’s other matches, Prime Doleshwar went to the top of the table after beating Prime Bank Cricket Club by 56 runs at Khan Shaheb Osman Ali Stadium in Fatullah and Sheikh Jamal Dhanmondi Club beat Mohammedan Sporting Club in a low scoring game at the BKSP-2 by  four wickets.
Yesterday’s highlight however was at Mirpur, where Gazi Tank — boosted by four half-centuries — posted 337. In reply, Kalabagan were restricted to 195 for nine. After electing to bat Gazi Tank’s openers Imrul Kayes (64) and Aftab Ahmed (53) shared a 114-run partnership in 22.5 overs. After the openers were sent back to the pavilion Rokibul and foreign recruit Ryan ten Doeschate romped Gazi Tank past the 300-mark by smashing 124 runs in 7.4 overs.
The period saw Rokibul score four out of his ten fours and smack all his five sixes in his 64-ball 98. Ten Doeschate, who hammered 54 off 24, went one step ahead as he launched seven sixes and a four. The innings ended with Gazi Tank scoring 27 runs in the last over.
In reply Kalabagan got off to the worst possible start and were struggling at 26 for 4 in 12 overs. Half centuries from Sharifullah (55) and Sahagir Hossain (70) in the middle order avoided an even bigger defeat.
Prime Doleshwar’s skipper Forhad Reza put in a good all-round performance to help his side go to the top. With the bat he posted a 32-ball 43 at number seven to help his side post 244.
In reply, Prime Bank CC were bundled out for 188. Their openers were removed by Forhad, who took 3-33 with the ball within the first eight overs and Prime Bank failed to recover.
At the BKSP-2, Sheikh Jamal rode on an unbeaten 44 to overcome Mohammedan’s 165 with 15.4 overs to spare.