Mohammedan Sporting Club lost their first match in the Dhaka Premier League this season by the huge margin of 239 runs to Sheikh Jamal Dhanmondi Club at the Sher-e-Bangla Stadium in Mirpur Thursday. Chasing a mammoth 307 to win, the Motijheel club were bundled out for just 67.
In the day’s other games, Kalabagan CA overcame traditional giants Abahani Ltd to earn a comfortable eight wicket victory on the back of a big partnership between Mizanur Rahman and Hamilton Masakadza at BKSP-3 ground while at the Khan Shaheb Osman Ali Stadium, Brothers Union rode on Angelo Matthews’ unbeaten half-century to beat Khelaghar SKS by eight wickets.
Mohammedan v Sheikh Jamal
Mohammedan skipper Rajin Saleh’s decision to field first proved costly as the Jamal batsman cashed in on a flat wicket. Following useful contributions from Junaid Siddique (47), Jahurul Islam (33), Dilshan Munaweera (50) and skipper Mushfiqur Rahim (51), Afghan recruit Gulbadin Naib launched a brutal assault that saw him score 93 from just 54 balls with six fours and seven sixes and take Jamal to an imposing total of 306.
Mohammedan’s Lankan spinner Ajantha Mendis took three wickets while Muktar Ali, Delwar Hosain, Saqlain Sajib and Rajin Saleh took one apiece.
Mohammedan’s reply never got going and Shamsur Rahman, who scored a hundred in the last match, eventually top scored with 22. Zimbabwean paceman Elton Chicumburra returned figures of 4-13 to break the back of the innings, which folded at 67 from 23 overs. Left arm spinner Elias Sunny also starred with the ball in taking three wickets.
Abahani v Kalabagan CA
In a match reduced to 34 overs a side due to rain, Kalabagan sent Abahani in to bat and were able to utilize the helpful conditions to pick up four wickets with just 79 on the board. It was left to in-form Mosaddek and Sri Lankan Talina Kandamdi to repair the damage as they added 82 for the fifth wicket before left arm spinner Nazmul Apu removed the former for 62 (seven fours, one six). Kandambi remained unbeaten on 53 off 38 balls (five fours, two sixes) to take the final total to 188/6.
For Kalabagan, Dewan Sabbir took three wickets and off-spinner Sharifullah two.
In reply, Kalabagan lost Zimbabwean Vusi Sibanda for 5, bowled by paceman Al-Amin, but his countryman Hamilton Masakdza and Mizanur Rahman then added 166 for the second wicket.
Man-of-the-match Mizanur fell for 91 from 94 balls (seven fours, two sixes) just before the end to left arm spinner Nabil Samad while Masakdza remained not out 85 from 72 balls (eight fours, two sixes) to hand Abahani its third defeat in four matches.
Brothers v Khelaghar
At the Khan Shaheb Osman Ali Stadium, Brothers skipper Sohrawardi Shuvo sent Khelaghar chose to field after winning the toss. The newcomers struggled to 102 all out in 34 overs with Sri Lankan opener Micheal Vandort top scoring with 35.
Man-of-the-match Angelo Matthews took three wickets and another Lankan recruit Sachithra Senanayake and Sanjamul Islam took two each for Brothers.
In reply Brothers lost opener Tamim Iqbal for 21 but Angelo Mathews (51*) and Nafis Iqbal (15*) completed the chase in 25 overs.