An eight-wicket haul by Yeasin Arafat forced league leader Dhaka Abahani Limited to suffer the second consecutive defeat in the Walton Dhaka Premier Division Cricket League with eight-wicket loss against Gazi Group Cricketers at the Khan Shaheb Osman Ali Stadium in Fatullah on Wednesday, reports UNB.
Despite the day's embarrassing defeat, Abahani Limited maintained their top slot securing 14 points from 10 matches with seven wins and three defeats while Gazi Group Cricketers advanced to the sixth place collecting 10 points from 10 outings with five wins and five losses.
Sent in to bat first, popular Dhanmondi outfit Abahani Ltd faced an initial batting collapse losing top five wickets for only 12 runs in 4.4 overs, but a 53-run sixth wicket partnership by Manan Sharma and Mohammad Mithun guided the team to score a face-saving 113 runs for all in 26.1 overs.
Number seven Manan Sharma contributed the team highest 46 runs off 58 balls featuring seven boundaries, number five batsman Mohammad Mithun scored 42-ball 40 runs hitting seven fours and a six and opener Anamul Haque made run-a-ball 10 including two boundaries, were main scorers for Abahani Ltd reaching the double figure.
A 19-year old right arm medium pacer from Noakhali district made the major damage in Abahani innings grabbing eight wickets for 40 runs in his 8.1 overs spell with a maiden and was adjudged the Man of the Match.
Tipu Sultan claimed remaining two wickets conceding 23 runs.
Chasing a poor target, Gazi Group Cricketers faced no trouble to score the match-winner 114 runs for the loss of two wickets in just 29.5 overs.
Opener Jahurul Islam scored the match highest 52 runs off 78 deliveries with help of six fours and one six, two down Fawad Alam contributed an unbeaten 39 runs off 73 balls featuring three fours and a six while another opener Mehedi Hasan made 19-ball 10 runs including one boundary.
Bangladesh ODI captain Mashrafe Bin Mortaza and Sandip Roy shared one wicket each giving away 18 and 19 runs respectively.
Meanwhile, an unconquered 73 runs by middle order batsman Nahidul Islam enabled Prime Bank Cricket Club to a comfortable five-wicket victory over Shinepukur Cricket Club at the Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium in Mirpur on Wednesday.
Sent in to bat first Shinepukur CC were all out for 251 runs in 49.5 overs with number four U Kaul making 52, opener Shadman Islam 44, Towhid Hridoy 39, Sabbir Hossain 26 and Afif Hossain 24 runs.
Monir Hossain and Shariful Islam took three wickets each conceding 40 and 46 runs respectively while Enamul Haque Junior claimed two wickets for 47 runs.
In reply, Prime Bank CC reached their target scoring the match-winner 252 runs for the loss of five wickets in 46.4 overs.
Number five batsman Nahidul Islam contributed 73 runs off 78 balls hitting six boundaries and one over boundary to be adjudged Man of the Match.
Nahid shared 74-run in the fifth wicket stand with Yusuf Pathan. The chase was finished off with a 51-run unbroken sixth wicket stand with Delwar Hossain.
Mehedi Maruf (41), Al Amin (35), Yousuf Pathan (32) and Delwar Hossain (24) were the other main scorers for Prime Bank CC.
Naeem Islam Junior and Raihan Uddin took two wicket each giving away 49 and 52 runs respectively.
Meanwhile, Prime Doleshwar Sporting Club remained in the second slot in the 12-team Walton Dhaka Metropolis Premier Division Cricket League beating Agrani Bank Cricket Club by three wickets at the BKSP ground-3 in Savar on Wednesday.
Sent in to bat first, Agrani Bank CC scored 203 for 7 in 50 overs featuring 83 runs in the 7th wicket stand by Shamsul Islam and Islamul Ahsan.
After the dismissal of six top order batsmen for 102 runs, number seven batsman Shamsul Islam hammered an unbeaten 64 runs in 100 balls hitting two fours and one six, number eight Islamul Ahsan scored 69-ball 46 runs including two boundaries and one over boundary.
Besides, Azmin Ahmed (30), R Dhawan (24) and Salman Hossain (10) were the other notable contributors for the bankers' team.
Sharifullah and Zohaib Khan shared three wickets each conceding 35 and 37 runs respectively.
In reply, Prime Doleshwar reached their target scoring the match-winning 204 runs for 7 in 46.2 overs with useful contributions from Farhad Hossain (49), Marshall Ayub (42) and Zohaib Khan (41).
All rounder Zohaib Khan, who also claimed three wickets, was adjudged the Man of the Match. National "colour" pacer Shafiul Islam and veteran national spinner Abdur Razzak grabbed three wickets each giving away 25 and 34 runs respectively.
