Shamim stars in thrilling win

A thrilling Dhaka Premier League (DPL) encounter at the Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium in Mirpur saw Bangladesh Krira Shikkha Protisthan (BKSP) win by two runs, defending 12 runs off the final over against Brothers Union yesterday.

An all-round performance from Shamim Hossain, who scored a 96-ball 71 and took two wickets, helped BKSP to their second win in this edition of the DPL.

Meanwhile in Fatullah, Saif Hassan smashed his second successive ton, smashing an unbeaten 132 off 134 balls, to help Prime Doleshwar romp to a seven-wicket victory over Khelaghar SKS at the Khan Shaheb Osman Ali Stadium.

It was a walk in the park for Shinepukur CC at the BKSP-3 ground as they chased down a paltry 145-run total from Uttara Sporting Club courtesy of Sabbir Hossain's all-round brilliance. They won by eight wickets with 149 balls to spare.

At Mirpur, BKSP got off to a shaky start as they lost three wickets for 25 runs inside just 6.5 overs. However, a 66-run fourth-wicket stand between Aminul Islam and Shamim steadied the ship before the former was dismissed for a 51-ball 23. Shamim was next to fall but skipper Akbar Ali and Parvez Hossain built on his knock. The duo scripted a 90-run partnership for the sixth-wicket to help BKSP post 267 for nine.

After the exchange, Brothers -- who seemed on course for an easy victory courtesy of contributions from Junaid Siddique (52 off 79) and Chirag Jani (96 off 120) -- were hit by a sudden storm when Jani was dismissed off a Shamim delivery in the 48th over. After that, Brothers lost four wickets for just 13 runs, falling agonisingly short of the target. Sumon Khan picked up two wickets in the last over, restricting Brothers to 265 for nine.

At BKSP-3, it was yet another Saif show that helped Prime Doleshwar to their fourth victory of the tournament. After Khelaghar rode on Mahidul Islam's 86 and a further 58 runs from Sadikur Rahman to post 257 for nine, it was opener Saif's magnificent unbeaten 134-ball 132 that helped Doleshwar reach the target with seven wickets and 20 balls to spare. Saif's onslaught was nothing new as the right-hander has been in imperious touch in DPL, scoring 102, 9, 85 and anunbeaten 83 in his last four games for Doleshwar.

In the other game, Shinepukur opener Sabbir fell just a run short of the three-figure mark (99 off 72) but his fiery innings, which featured seven fours and as many sixes, was enough to ensure a humiliating defeat for Uttara Sporting. Sabbir also had economical figures of three for 27.

SCORES  IN  BRIEF 

BKSP V BROTHERS UNION

BKSP: 267 for nine in 50 overs (Shamim 71, Parvez 69, Akbar 56; Sharif 3-65)

Brothers Union: 265 for nine in 50 overs (Junaid 52, Jani 96, Sharifullah 42 not out; Mukidul 4-62, Shamim 2-43)

Result: BKSP won by 2 runs.

KHELAGHAR V DOLESHWAR

Khelaghar: 257 for nine in 50 overs (Mahidul 86, Sadikur 58; Forhad 3-52)

Doleshwar: 258 for three in 46.4 overs (Saif 132 not out, Ayub 40; Robi 1-27)

Result: Doleshwar won by seven wickets.

UTTARA V SHINEPUKUR

Uttara: 145 all out in 44.4 overs (Minhajul 51 not out, Tanzid 25; Sabbir 3-27)

Shinepukur: 149 for two in 25.1 overs (Sabbir 99, Shadman 38; Jahangir 1-24)

Result: Shinepukur won by eight wickets.