Maruf ton sets up thrilling victory

Mehedi Maruf's century powered Gazi Group to a thrilling four-run win over Prime Bank Cricket Club in a Dhaka Premier League clash at the Sher-eBangla National Stadium in Mirpur yesterday.

Meanwhile, Sheikh Jamal DC clinched a five-wicket win against Abahani in the other game to remain top of the table with 14 points.

Chasing a target of 257, Prime Bank were cruising towards a win and reached 167 for the loss of just one wicket but they lost their way and some poor cricket saw them eventually end up on 252 for nine after 50 overs.

Abhimanyu Easwaran broke Mahmudul Hasan and Anamul Haque's 117-run partnership by dismissing the former for 57 before using the next delivery to remove Anamul, who made a team-high 85 off 100 balls.

Skipper Mohammad Mithun scored eight and began the trend of Prime Bank losing wickets. Needing seven off the last over, Rubel Hossain was unable to connect with three deliveries.

Earlier. Maruf smashed his seventh List A ton off 121 balls before being dismissed after a 140-ball 118, laced with 13 fours and three sixes to help Gazi post 256 for nine after being asked to bat.

At BKSP-4, Abahani were caught in Parvez Rasool's spin web. He bagged a five-wicket haul as the defending champions folded for 177.

The Indian recruit has been in terrific form and, despite missing out with the bat, ended up picking five for 29 runs from 9.4 overs. Left-arm spinner Sunzamul Islam picked up two wickets while Shamim Hossain was the top scorer for the batting side with 50 .

Sheikh Jamal reached the target in 48.4 overs, with Robiul Islam Robi remaining unbeaten on 57.