Ton-up Shadman lifts Shinepukur to 2nd

Shadman Islam, Junaid Siddiqui and Robiul Islam slammed centuries in the eighth-round Dhaka Premier League matches at three different venues yesterday, but Robiul's effort went in vain. 

Shadman missed his season's first century in the previous match by only five runs but he continued his form to bounce back with a magnificent 144 that helped Shinepukur Cricket Club to an eight-wicket win over Sheikh Jamal Dhanmondi Club at the Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium in Mirpur. Their fifth win also took Shinepukur to second place on the 12-team points table.

Shinepukur reached the target of 263 with eight wickets and nine balls in hand thanks to a 95-run opening partnership between Fardeen Hasan (38) and Shadman, who later contributed in an unbroken 121-run third-wicket stand with Towhid Hridoy (50). Shadman hit nine fours and two sixes during his 147-run knock.

Earlier, Sheikh Jamal scored 262 in 49.5 overs thanks to Ziaur Rahman, who top-scored with 79, and Hasanuzzaman, who struck 61, but it was not good enough for them to avert a fourth defeat in eight matches.

At BKSP, Legends of Rupganj rode on two half-centuries from Mohammad Naim and Naeem Islam to secure their fifth win, beating Khelaghar Samaj Kallyan Samity by six wickets.

Naim and Naeem added 144 for the third wicket as Rupganj overtook Khelaghar's 259 six wickets to spare. 18-year old Naim made 81 off 96 balls with the help of seven fours and two sixes while skipper Naeem hit 70 off 64 balls with three fours and two sixes.

Khelagar posted 259 for four in their 50 overs, riding on Robiul's 116. Robiul struck 13 fours and a six in his 138-ball knock and added 182 for the second wicket with Mahidul Islam, who added 80 off 125 balls.

At the Khan Shaheb Osman Ali Stadium in Fatullah, Junaid's sixth List-A hundred boosted Brothers Union to an emphatic 131-run win over Kalabagan Krira Chakra. It was Brothers' fourth win in eight matches while Kalabagan suffered their sixth defeat in eight games.

Junaid struck 16 fours and two sixes during his 123-run innings that came from 111 deliveries.

He added 205 runs for the second wicket with Myshukur Rahaman, who missed out on a hundred by just four runs as Brothers scored a mammoth 317 for four.

Kalabagan were bowled out for 186 in 45 overs and number eight batsman Muktar Ali's unbeaten 62 was the only highlight of their innings.