Picking up their fourth successive win Abahani Limited avoided the relegation zone while Prime Bank Cricket Club, Brothers Union and Gazi Tank also won their respective matches to seal their top six spot in the Dhaka Premier League yesterday.
With only a game left in the league stage, between Prime Doleshwar and Kalabagan Cricket Academy, six sides have confirmed a spot in the Super Six phase of the tournament. Prime Bank, Kalabagan CA and Brothers Union have joined Mohammedan Sporting Club, Prime Doleshwar and Gazi Tank.
Abahani v Kalabagan KC
Abahani successfully chased down 240 runs with six wickets to spare as the Sky Blues beat Kalabagan for their fourth win at BKSP-3.
Winning the toss Kalabagan batted first and posted 240-8. Naeem Islam remained unbeaten on 86 to lead the Kalabagan innings. The top order batsman hammered four fours and two sixes in his 98-ball innings while Tasamul Haque and opening batsman Nasiruddin Faruque scored 50 and 48 respectively. Al Amin, Nabil Samad and Shahajada Hossain picked up two wickets each.
In reply, Abahani reached the target in 43.5 overs with their foreign recruit Gregory Smith leading them with 89 off 94 balls. The English cricketer smacked nine boundaries and three sixes. However, it was Mosaddek Hossain’s 53 off 44 which nailed the game. Anjum Ahmed picked three wicket conceding 42 runs for Kalabagan.
Prime Bank v Khelaghar
Prime Bank confirmed a berth in the super six defeating Khelaghar by 59 runs at Khan Shaheb Osman Ali Stadium.
Winning the toss Prime Bank opted to bat first and made 225-8. Taibur Parvez top scored with 64 runs. Forkan, Hassan Reza and Rajibul Islam bagged two wickets each for Khelaghar.
Later, Khelaghar were restricted to 166 runs in 43.1 overs. Shuvagata Hom made the highest 51. Ravi Bopara picked three wickets for Prime Bank.
Gazi Tank v Victoria Sporting
Put in to bat first, Gazi Tank posted a decent total of 251-8 in 50 overs with New Zealand all-rounder Jacob Oram scoring 54 runs off just 21 balls. He smashed four boundaries and five sixes while national discards Imrul Kayes and Rakibul Hasan also chipped in with 47 each.
For Victoria, Sri Lankan recruit Shalika Karunanayake picked up three wickets while Mohammed Sharif took two wickets.
In reply, Victoria never looked comfortable in their chase as they kept losing wickets at regular intervals. Late order batsman Sharif scored the highest 58 runs and remained not out as Victoria were bundled out for 137 runs in 41 over.
Left-arm spinner Arafat Sunny picked up four wickets while Ashar Zaidi took three wickets as Gazi Tank registered a comprehensive 114-run victory.
Sheikh Jamal v Brothers Union
Sheikh Jamal skipper Jahurul Islam winning the toss decided to bat, but the decision went horribly wrong as they were bowled out for a paltry 150 runs.
National discard Junaid Siddique made the highest 45 while Tanvir Haider remained not out on 36 runs.
Brothers skipper Sohrawardi Shuvo took three wickets while another left-arm spinner Sanjamul Islam claimed two wickets.
In reply, Brothers cruised to the small target with Nafees Iqbal making 44 and opener Mehrab Hossain Jr contributing 42 runs. Alok Kapali remained unbeaten on 25 runs as they reach the target with six wickets and 14 overs to spare.