Zakir ton upstages Zakirul’s effort

Sheikh Jamal Dhanmondi put in a clinical performance as they defeated Brothers Union by eight wickets at ULAB Cricket Ground today. The win saw Sheikh Jamal pick up three wins from as many matches in the Dhaka Premier League (DPL) so far.

Sheikh Jamal Dhanmondi spinners had a good outing with the ball after Brothers were sent in to bat. Parvez Rasool and Sunzamul Islam effected early wickets and accounted for the first five wickets. Mohammad Ashraful hit a resilient 96-ball 55 before departing to Saif Hassan in the 39th over while pacers Sumon Khan and Mrittunjoy got into the act in the latter overs to bundle Brothers out for 158. Rasool returned brilliant figures of three wickets for a measly nine runs in 10 overs.

Opener Saif then continued in his rich vein of form, hitting 81 off 85 deliveries before Imrul Kayes (23*) and Jahurul Islam (11) finished the job with eight wickets and 17 overs to spare.

In the match between newly-promoted Rupganj Tigers Cricket Club and City Club at BKSP's ground 4, Rupganj's Zakir Hasan smashed a 99-ball 124 to see his side pick up their second win in the tournament with a seven-wicket victory. Earlier City Club were propelled to 261 for 8, thanks to Zakirul Ahmed's 114 and Ashik Ul Alam's 49 but Zakirul's ton came in vain as Rupganj sailed to victory with 8.4 overs to spare. Zakir and Aparajith Baba, who struck 69, strung together a 152-run stand for the second wicket for Rupganj before they departed in the 32nd and 37th over respectively but their got through without further loss of wickets.

In the match at BKSP's ground 3, Shinepukur Cricket Club also picked up their second win with a four-wicket victory over Gazi Group Cricketers. Sent in to bat, Gazi lost wickets at regular intervals, unable to lengthen partnerships after decent starts. Skipper Akbar Ali 60-ball 61, along with Gurinder Singh's 49 saw them reach 247 for eight as Shinepukur spinner Hasan Murad picked up three for 25.

Opener Avishek Mitra hit an 84-ball 86 before he fell in the 32nd over. Gazi managed to pick up a few more quick wickets after that but Mahidul Islam Ankon's unbeaten 91-ball 53 ensured that Shinepukur got over the ropes with 2.1 overs and four wickets to spare.