Defending champion Abahani Limited were off to a winning start, by 60 runs, riding on opener Jahurul Islam’s brilliant century, against Bangladesh Krira Shikkha Pratishthan in Mirpur’s Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium on Friday.
In the other 50 over matches of the day in the Dhaka Premier League, newcomer Uttara Sporting Club stunned Lt. Sheikh Jamal Dhanmondi Club Limited by nine runs at Khan Shaheb Osman Ali stadium in Fatullah while Legends of Rupganj clinched a three-wicket win over Brothers Union at BKSP.
BKSP won the toss and elected field first.
They had success in the first half an hour as they managed to take two wickets within seven overs where only 15 runs were scored.
BKSP maintained the pressure and at one stage, Sabbir Rahman was cleaned up, scoring two off six balls, and the score was 53 for the loss of four wickets in 15.2 overs.
But Jahurul stood tall from one end and carried his innings nicely.
Jahurul formed a brilliant 112-run partnership with No 6 batsman Saifuddin to lift the gloom for Abahani.
Saifuddin played an impressive innings of 55 off 80 balls with half a dozen boundaries before getting out in the 42nd over.
Abahani Limited won by 60 Runs against Bangladesh Krira Shikkha Protisthan
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Jahurul was magnificent in the other end and solid as a rock.
The right-hander picked up his century in the 46th over.
The wicketkeeper-batsman remained unbeaten on 121 facing 147 balls with 13 fours and one six.
Eventually, Abahani posted 216 losing nine wickets in their stipulated 50 overs.
Abu Naser picked up three wickets for BKSP, while Hasan Murad took two.
The much anticipated Dhaka Premier League is all set to start Friday as defending champion Abahani Limited take on Bangladesh Krira Shikkha Pratishthan in Mirpur’s Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium.https://t.co/0mq6BEwqF7#CRICKET #DPL #BANGLADESH #BANGLADESHCRICKET #BCB
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In reply, BKSP lost regular wickets from the beginning.
Abahani bowlers bowled tight lines and lengths as the first boundary for BKSP came in the 13th over.
They were all out for 156 in 40.5 overs.
Captain Abdul Kayium was the top-scorer with an unbeaten 38-run innings, while opener Ratul Khan scored 37.
Left-arm spinner Nazmul Islam notched three wickets conceding 30 runs.
Jahurul was adjudged man-of-the-match for his match-winning century.
1st Match
Abahani 216/9 in 50 overs (Jahurul Islam 121*, Abu Naser 3-39) beat BKSP 156 all out in 40.5 (Abdul Kayium 38*, Nazmul Islam 3-30) by 60 runs.
