Smooth sail for biggies

Mohammedan batsman Nazimuddin drives through the covers during his 50 in the Premier Division Cricket League match against Orient Sporting Club at the Dhanmondi Cricket Stadium yesterday. Photo: STAR

There were no hiccups on the opening day of the Premier Division Cricket League as giants Mohammedan, Biman and Abahani posted comfortable victories against their respective rivals at different venues across the country.
After a short break the national cricketers got back to their business in the country's most coveted limited-over competition, probably their last competitive matches before next year's World Cup, but only pace spearhead Mashrafe Bin Mortaza and wicketkeeper-batsman Mushfiqur Rahim stood out for their teams on the inaugural day.
Big-spending Shakib Al Hasan and Tamim Iqbal got out cheaply but still defending champions Mohammedan got off to a flying start with a 115-run victory over Orient Sporting Club at the Dhanmondi Cricket Stadium.
The holders managed a fighting total of 258 for nine in their share of 50-over thanks to half centuries from Shamsur Rahman and Nazimuddin. Shamsur hit 78 off 86 balls with three fours and a six while Nazimuddin added 50 off 67 balls that contained five fours and a six.
In reply, Orient were bundled out for 143 runs as Sri Lanka pacer Fervez Mahroof made the early inroads by removing Asif Iqbal and Anhoor Newaz. Left-arm spinner Enamul Haque also took two wickets conceding 18 runs from seven overs.
At the Shaheed Chandu Stadium in Bogra, Indian Yash Pal Singh slammed an unbeaten 90 after Mashrafe and his new ball partner Tapash Baishya shared seven wickets among them as the popular Abahani began their campaign with a convincing six-wicket victory over Surjo Torun Club.
Tapash claimed four wickets for 33 runs while his more illustrious new ball partner Mashrafe carried on his good form with three for 34 as Surjo Torun were dismissed for 205.
In reply, Abahani recovered from 71 for four to reach the target, finishing with 208-4 in 47.3 overs, thanks to an unbeaten 137-run fifth wicket stand between Mahmudullah Riyad and Yash Pal, who smashed four sixes and six fours during a 78-ball 90.
Riyad was atypically slow in his batting as the right-hander played 107 balls to score 42 runs with two boundaries.
Left-arm spinner Abdur Razzak, the most successful bowler in the recently concluded home series against Zimbabwe, captured two wickets for 42 runs.
At the Shahid Kamruz-zaman Stadium in Rajshahi, Mushfiqur hit unbeaten 87 as Biman also got off to a flying start with a five-wicket victory in the low-scoring game against newly promoted Prime Doleshwar.
Riding on Mushfiqur's 113-ball 87 that featured eight boundaries, Biman scored 181 runs for the loss of five wickets in 43.3 overs in reply to Prime Doleshwar's total of 179 all out.
Earlier spinner Elias Sunny picked up four wickets for 34 runs and national paceman Shafiul Islam took two for 29 to wrap up Prime Doleshwar for 179 runs. One-down batsman Rezaul Karim top-scored with 78 off 129 balls that saw seven fours and a six.
SCORES IN BRIEF
MOHAMMEDAN V ORIENT
MOHAMMEDAN: 258-9 in 50 overs (Tamim 20, Nazimuddin 50, Shamsur 78, Shakib 24, Mashud 21, extras 13; Gazi 2-54)
ORIENT: 143 all out in 44.4 overs (Robiul 43, Taibur 18, Sazzadul 23 not out, extras 14; Mahroof 2-22, Enamul 2-18).
RESULT: Mohammedan won by 115 runs.
ABAHANI V SURJO TORUN
SURJO TORUN: 205 all out in 50 overs (Shuvo 44, Dhiman 44, Razzak 28, extras 22; Mashrafe 3-34, Tapash 4-33).
ABAHANI: 208-4 in 47.3 overs (Imrul 24, Lee Carsel Dine 23, Riyad 42 not out, Yash Pal Singh 90 not out, extras 12; Razzak 2-42).
RESULT: Abahani won by six wickets.
BIMAN V PRIME DOLESHWAR
PRIME DOLESHWAR: 179 all out in 48.4 overs (Rezaul 78, Imran 46, extras 22; Shafiul 2-29, Elias Sunny 4-34)
BIMAN: 181-5 in 43.3 overs (Mushfiqur 87 not out, Mubarak 34, Mosharraf 35 not out, extras 4; Nazmul 2-18).
RESULT: Biman won by five wickets.