Mashrafe shines for Abahani, Doleshwar edge Khelaghar

Riding on Mashrafe bin Mortaza's all-round performance, Abahani Limited secured their second consecutive win in the Dhaka Premier League season 2017-18 defeating Kalabagan Krira Chakra. The Bangladesh ODI and Abahani captain Mashrafe struck a 54-ball 67 and picked up four wickets to take the club to victory. In the other two games of the day, Prime Doleshwar Sporting Club and Gazi Group Cricketers registered wins in their respective matches after both started their campaign with defeats.Abahani v KalabaganMashrafe’s all-round performance boosted the side to a 36-run victory over Kalabagan at BKSP. Abahani were asked to bat first and were under pressure early on in their innings, losing Saif Hasan in the second over with just four runs on the board. However, the damage was recovered with Nazmul Hossain Shanto's 83-ball 55. Mosaddek Hossain, who was benched and later released by the Bangladesh team from the second and final Test against Sri Lanka, added 40 to the total but it was Mashrafe who caused the most damage. In his knock, the veteran cricketer struck three boundaries and five over boundaries to lift Abahani’s total to 217 all out in 49.5 overs. Muktar Ali bagged three wickets to lead the Kalabagan attack. Chasing the target, Kalabagan posted 181 in 48.1 overs. Kalabagan captain Muktar scored 40 while Mashrafe bagged a four-for conceding 49 runs. Taskin Ahmed opened his tally for the season, taking three wickets.

---

Also read: Sheikh Jamal prevail in DPL nail-biter

---

Doleshwar v Khelaghar Samaj Kalyan Samity Doleshwar recorded a nail-biting one-wicket victory over Khelaghar in Fatullah's Khan Shaheb Osman Ali Stadium to open their wins account. Invited to bat first, Khelaghar scored 199 runs for the loss of seven wickets in their allotted 50 overs, courtesy Nazimuddin's 51 and Ashok Menaria's 45. Doleshwar’s Farhad Reza picked up four wickets. In reply, Doleshwar chased down the target in the last ball of the innings. Farhad Hossain was the highest scorer for his side with 45 while Fazle Mahmud made 42.Gazi Group v Shinepukur Cricket ClubTeam effort enabled Gazi Group to their first win of the season as they defeated Shinepukur by 20 runs at BKSP. Gazi Group were asked to bat first and they put up 279 losing six wickets in their stipulated 50 overs, riding on three half-centuries in the innings. Zakir Ali Anik scored an 118-ball 90, featuring half a dozen fours and a couple of sixes, and he was ably supported by Nadif Chowdhury, who blasted a 68-ball 71 with five boundaries and three over boundaries. Rajat Bhatia was unbeaten on a 34-ball 58. Shinepukur’s Saifuddin took two wickets. Later, Shinepukur were restricted to 259 as Rubel Hossain and Nayeem Hasan bagged three wickets each for Gazi Group. Shinepukur made a good start to the chase as Sabbir Hossain, Towhid Hridoy and Uday Kaul scored 55, 51 and 59 respectively. However, following the departure of the top four, the side lost their way in the chase. Only two from the remaining batsmen could reach double digit.

---

Also read: Newcomers Shinepukur, Agrani off to winning start

---

BRIEF SCORESKalabagan 181 in 48.1 overs (Mashrafe 4/49, Taskin 3/30) lost to Abahani 217 in 49.4 overs (Mashrafe 67, Shanto 55) by 36 runsShinepukur 259 in 48.4 overs (Kaul 59, Sabbir 55) lost to Gazi 279/6 (Zakir 90, Nadif 71) by 20 runsDoleshwar 200/9 (Farhad 45, Tanvir 3/48) beat Khelaghar 199/7 (Nazimuddin 51, Reza 4/37) by one wicket SUNDAY'S MATCHESMohammedan v Rupganj, FatullahPrime Bank v Brothers, SavarSk Jamal v Agrani Bank, SavarAll the matches will start at 9am POINTS TABLETeams M W L Pts NRRAbahani 2 2 0 4 1.588Prime Bank 1 1 0 2 1.366Agrani Bank 1 1 0 2 0.986Shinepukur 2 1 1 2 0.695Brothers 1 1 0 2 0.301Sk Jamal 1 1 0 2 0.060Gazi Group 2 1 1 2 -0.333Doleshwar 2 1 1 2 -0.767Rupganj 1 0 1 0 -0.060Mohammedan 1 0 1 0 -0.301Kalabagan 2 0 2 0 -1.005Khelaghar 2 0 2 0 -1.182