Ace all-rounder Shakib al Hasan, who was rested for the first three Twenty20 internationals against Zimbabwe, finally hit a century in professional cricket after five years, but that went in vain as his side Sheikh Jamal Dhanmondi Club tasted a two-wicket defeat to Gazi Group Cricketers in the Dhaka Premier League's Super League game at Bangladesh Krira Shikkha Protishthan-4 ground Friday.
Shakib hit his last century during the 2019 World Cup when his 124 helped Bangladesh beat the West Indies.
Shakib ended his century drought by smashing a 79-ball 107 to help Sheikh Jamal pile up 280/9.
However, Mahfufur Rahman Rabby, who idolized Shakib in his childhood, trumped him with a 118-ball 125, a knock featuring three fours and 12 sixes, which eventually guided Gazi to victory with 286/4 in 49.2 overs.
Rabby also took 3/29 with the ball to keep Sheikh Jamal at bay before Shakib's century, studded with nine fours and seven sixes, bailed the side out of danger.
Alongside him, Yasir Ali made 71 off 51 with three fours and five sixes to help Sheikh Jamal edge closer to 300.
Rabby's knock, complemented by Sabbir Hossain's 64 was key in Gazi Group's victory.
Meanwhile, Zakir Hasan hammered a 132-ball 158 with eight fours and 12 sixes as Prime Bank Cricket Club crushed Shinepukur Cricket Club by 111 runs at BKSP-3 ground in the day's other match.
Zakir's hundred helped Prime Bank rack up 341/7 before Shinepukur were bundled out for 230 in 46.3 overs despite Amit Hasan's 104.
Hasan Mahmud grabbed 4/38 for Prime Bank.
SUPER LEAGUE
Sheikh Jamal 280/9 (Shakib 107, Yasir 71) lost to Gazi Group 286/8 in 49.4 overs (Rabby 125, Sabbir 64) by 2 wickets
Prime Bank 341/7 (Zakir 158, Mithun 54) beat Shinepukur 230 in 46.3 overs (Amit 104*, Elias 41) by 111 runs
