Victoria make a flying start

A brilliant century by Jahurul Islam enabled big- budgeted Victoria Sporting Club to make flying start in the Metropolis Premier Division Cricket League beating Biman Bangladesh Airlines by 21 runs in their first match at the Khan Saheb Osman Ali Stadium in Fatullah Friday, reports UNB. Winning the toss, new look Victoria SC batted first to post 311 runs for 7 in stipulated 50 overs with national colour opener Jahurul Islam scoring the first century of the league making 105 off 113 balls that featured 10 fours and two sixes. After the departure of opener Ahmed Shehzad (33) for 50 runs in 9.2 overs, national opener Tamim Iqbal pairing with one down Jahurul Islam gave a good foundation to the innings contributing 119 runs in the 2nd wicket stand. Later, Jahurul partnering with Pakistani Kamran Sajid added another 108 runs in the 3rd wicket stand to carry the team total to a respectable 277 for 3 in 47 overs. Apart from Jahurul's ton, hard-hitting Tamim Iqbal scored a polished 74 runs off 96 balls with eight fours, Kamran Sajid hammered 57 runs off 39 balls with two fours and a six while former national skipper Shakib Al Hasan belted 12 runs off 6 balls with one four and a six. Shahid grabbed three wickets for 66 runs while Fawad Alam claimed two wickets for 51 runs. In reply, national flag carrier Biman Bangladesh fought bravely, but eventually forced to close their innings at 290 for 9 in quota 50 overs. Biman Bangladesh made a flying start scoring 158 runs in the opening stand by Indian Avishek Mitra and national opener Junaid Siddique. Avishek contributed 84 runs off 101 balls with 10 fours and a six while Junaid Siddique scored 71 runs off 82 balls with five fours and two sixes. Besides, former national opener Javed Omar, who came to bat at number six, hammered 64 runs off 54 balls with six fours and a six. Spinner Mosharraf Hossain claimed three wickets for 47 runs while Al Amin Hossain took two wickets for 71 runs.