Anamul Haque continued his rich vein of form in the Dhaka Premier League as Abahani Limited sealed a 124-run victory against Brothers Union at Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium Thursday.
Elsewhere, Gazi Group Cricketers crushed Mohammedan Sporting Club by 128 runs at Khan Shaheb Osman Ali Stadium Fatullah while Shinepukur Cricket Club recorded a four-wicket win over Rupganj Tigers Cricket Club at BKSP 3 ground, reports BSS.
Abahani v Brothers
Anamul, who scored a record 1,138 runs in the DPL last season, struck 118-ball 123 with six fours and as many sixes as Abahani racked up a gigantic 372/6, a total that was enough to seal the deal with ease as Brothers were held back to 248/6.
Brothers' decision to send Abahani to bat first backfired with Anamul and Mohammad Naim providing the side, who secured most titles in the prestigious league, a platform to savor.
They put on 157 for the opening stand, which was broken with the dismissal of Naim who hit 85 off 74.
Afif Hossain then continued the pace with a 47-ball 65 while captain Mosaddek Hossain contributed 46 off 27.
Jaker Ali Anik applied the finishing touch, making 26 off 11 with three sixes.
In reply, opening batter Mizanur Rahman hit 102 and Myshukur Rahman scored 73 that only reduced the margin of victory as the other batters failed to stand tall against a disciplined Abahani bowling attack.
Ripon Mondol and Tanvir Islam snared two wickets apiece.
Mohammedan v Gazi Group
Despite being bolstered with some big names, Mohammedan, traditional sports powerhouse of the country, continued their woes in DPL.
Riding on three half-centuries, Gazi Group posted a mammoth 349/7 after being invited to bat first and Mohammedan never looked like hunting it down.
Gazi Group's Indian recruit Ravi Teja made team-high 66 off 79, hitting three fours and two sixes.
His knock was complemented by captain Akbar Ali's fluent 59 and Meherob Hasan's whirlwind 43-ball 62 not, an innings laced with eight fours and one six.
Opener Habibur Rahman Sohan once again showed his big-hitting capability, striking a 22-ball 34 that set the platform up front for Gazi Group.
Fast bowler Khaled Ahmed claimed three but conceded 75 runs in 10 overs while his fellow new ball bowler Abu Jayed Rahi returned figure of 2/64.
Rony Talukdar blasted 80 off 61 with a dozen boundaries to give the side a rapid start but Mohammedan's middle-order failed to come to terms with Gazi Group's bowling.
Senior player Mahmudullah's 57-ball 58 was noteworthy even though it was not enough to gun down such a huge total.
Mohammedan were eventually all out for 221 in 39.1 overs with Onik Islam, Anamul Haque and Habib Mehedi snapping up two wickets apiece.
Shinepukur v Rupganj
Captain Naeem Islam scored a serene 86 not out and Mominul Haque made a stubborn 65 as Rupganj compiled 216/6 after being asked to take first guard.
Farhad Reza took 2/42 while Nabil Samad, Sangeeth Malindu and Hasan Murad picked up one wicket each.
Shinepukur overhauled the target with ease, reaching 217/6 in 46.2 overs, thanks to Sri Lankan recruit Malindu's 56 and Aminul Islam Biplob's 50.
Fast bowler Mukidul Islam Mugdho had figure of 4/50 but that was not enough to prevent the side from losing the game.
