The new 2024-25 season of the Dhaka Premier Division Cricket League got underway Monday across three venues in the capital as both defending champions Abahani Limited and local giants Mohammedan Sporting Club began their campaign with defeats.
Newly promoted Agrani Bank Cricket Club shocked Abahani by six wickets in Mirpur, the other promoted side Gulshan CC stunned Mohammedan by 107 runs in Savar while Prime Bank CC beat Rupganj Tigers CC by three wickets in the other game of the day.
Agrani Bank v Abahani
Asked to bat first, the Sky Blues posted a modest 234 losing all of their wickets in 50 overs, riding on half-centuries from Mosaddek Hossain Saikat (73) and Parvez Hossain Emon (50).
Following a disappointing Champions Trophy, Bangladesh and Abahani captain Nazmul Hossain Shanto’s woes continued as he was out for just 20 after negotiating 51 balls.
Shohidul Islam (4/44) led the way for the Agrani Bank bowling attack, while Ruyel Mia and Shuvagata Hom bagged two wickets each.
In reply, Agrani Bank romped home in 45 overs with skipper Imrul Kayes top-scoring with a run-a-ball 94, featuring seven sixes and three fours.
Shadman Islam (46), Amit Hasan (44) and Imranuzzaman (35) chipped in with useful contributions.
Gulshan v Mohammedan
Invited to take first guard, Gulshan, who count Tamim Iqbal as one of their investors, scored an impressive 298 for the loss of eight wickets, thanks to brilliant knocks from youngsters Iftekhar Hossain Ifti (108) and Zawad Abrar (75).
The 22-year old Ifti, who played the 2022 Under-19 World Cup, struck the first ton of this season’s Dhaka League en route to his 110-ball knock, decorated with nine boundaries and three maximums.
Current opener of the Bangladesh U-19 side, Abrar was also going fine at the other end, facing 86 deliveries in his innings that was composed with five sixes and four fours.
Abu Haider Rony finished with 4/66 for the Black and Whites, boasting a star-studded bowling line-up also comprising pacers Saifuddin and Ebadot Hossain and spinners Nasum Ahmed and Taijul Islam.
Chasing a competitive target, Tamim Iqbal’s side were skittled out for only 191 in 40.2 overs with the Mohammedan captain making a run-a-ball 22.
Ariful Islam scored the highest 73 but the likes of Mushfiqur Rahim (seven), Saifuddin (four) and Mahmudullah (10) all failed with the willow.
Ifti put in an all-round show for Gulshan, guided by former Abahani coach Khaled Mahmud, ending with 3/32 while Bangladesh U-19 and Gulshan skipper Azizul Hakim Tamim and Mohammad Elias snared two wickets apiece.
Rupganj v Prime Bank
The third time on the opening day that the side who won the toss decided to bowl first, Prime Bank dismissed Rupganj for 216 in 48.4 overs with spinners Arafat Sunny (3/40) and Nahidul Islam (3/37) causing the most damage.
Abdul Majid made 53 at the top for Rupganj, while Tanbir Hayder added 47.
In pursuit of 217, the Bankers reached their destination in just 32.4 overs owing to the heroics of Shamim Hossain, who was unbeaten on a whirlwind 83-ball 98, featuring 10 boundaries and four over boundaries.
Shahadat Hossain Dipu also made a quick 39-ball 54, including half a dozen fours and a couple of sixes, after the early departures of Mohammad Naim (nought) and Zakir Hasan (two).
BRIEF SCORES
Abahani 234 (Mosaddek 73, Shohidul 4/44) lost to Agrani Bank 235/4 in 45 overs (Kayes 94, Shadman 46) by 6 wickets
Gulshan 298/8 (Ifti 108, Abrar 75) beat Mohammedan 191 in 41.2 overs (Ariful 73, Ifti 3/32) by 107 runs
Rupganj 216 in 48.4 overs (Majid 53, Nahidul 3/37) lost to Prime Bank 220/7 in 32.4 overs (Shamim 98*, Dipu 54) by 3 wickets
