Gazi one win away from title

Gazi Group Cricketers are only a win away from emerging as the champion of the Dhaka Premier Division Cricket League 2016-17 season. Gazi convincingly defeated Abahani Limited by six wickets to leave the defending champion in a shaky position and are now looking forward to the last game of the season. If Gazi win their last game of the Super League phase against Prime Doleshwar Sporting Club, they will finish as champion with 26 points from 16 matches. Gazi were promoted to the country's premier 50-over domestic competition last season. However, there are other equations too. Gazi losing their last game will open up an opportunity for Doleshwar to make a run for their money. If Doleshwar secure wins in their last two matches, against Mohammedan Sporting Club Limited on Saturday and later against Gazi, then they will share the top spot in the points table alongside Gazi. Both Gazi and Doleshwar will be tied for points but superior head-to-head record means the latter will lift the title. Gazi on Friday chased down 157 runs with skipper Nasir Hossain leading from the front. The middle-order batsman struck an unbeaten 56 to guide his side to their target in 36.4 overs for the loss of four wickets. Opening batsman Anamul Haque added 41 to the chase. Nasir has played seven matches for Gazi this season, scoring 477 runs with a staggering average of 477 as he was unbeaten in six games. He has blasted two centuries and three half-centuries. Earlier, Abahani were asked to bat first. The Gazi bowlers were spot on in execution of their plans by restricting their opponent to 156 in 41.2 overs. Nasir and right-arm spinner Mahedi Hasan picked up three wickets each as Abahani's batting crumbled like a house of cards. Youngster Afif Hossain top-scored with 32. Gazi players celebrate following victory Dhaka TribuneMeanwhile in the other Super League game on Friday, Prime Bank Cricket Club defeated Sheikh Jamal Dhanmondi Club by five wickets. Riding on middle order batsman Tanbir Hayder’s 58 and captain Elias Sunny’s 57, Jamal, batting first, posted 242 on the board losing seven wickets in 50 overs. Pacer Al Amin Hossain bagged three wickets for Prime. In reply, opener Mehedi Maruf struck 127 while youngster Zakir Hasan added 49 to the tally as Prime reached their destination in 48 overs. In the Relegation League, Victoria Sporting Club registered only their second win of the season defeating Partex Sporting Club by 32 runs in a rain-affected game. Both the sides are confirmed of relegation from the Dhaka League to the First Division.BRIEF SCORESGazi 157/4 in 36.4 overs (Nasir 56*, Anamul 41) beat Abahani 156 in 41.2 overs (Mahedi 3/30, Nasir 3/36) by six wicketsPrime 243/5 in 48 overs (Maruf 127, Zakir 49) beat Jamal 242/7 (Tanbir 58, Elias 57) by five wicketsPartex 88/4 in 20 overs (Moinul 2/18, Monir 2/21) lost to Victoria 120/1 in 20 overs (Faruque 52*, Rajib 50) by 32 runs SATURDAY'S MATCH

Doleshwar v Mohammedan, Fatullah

POINTS TABLES

SUPER LEAGUETeams M W L PtsGazi 15 12 3 24Abahani 15 11 4 22Doleshwar 14 10 4 20Prime 15 9 6 18Mohammedan 14 8 6 16Jamal 15 7 8 14 RELEGATION LEAGUETeams M W L PtsKhelaghar 12 4 8 8Victoria 12 2 10 4Partex 13 1 12 2