Ton-up Shanto, Naim script Abahani's 10th straight victory

 
Abahani Limited sealed its record 10th straight victory in the ongoing Dhaka Premier League (DPL) by overcoming a stern challenge of mighty Prime Bank Cricket Club at Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium on Monday.

The defending champions Abahani pulled off a 58-run victory after showing an unwavering resolve, thanks to Najmul Hossain Shanto and Naim Sheikh who both hit centuries. Shanto blasted a fluent 118 off 85 with 13 fours and four sixes while opener Naim made 104 ball-105, hitting 10 fours and two sixes. After the duo set the platform upfront, Towhid Hridoy played a whirlwind 35 ball-65 not out with two fours and four sixes as Abahani Limited which was asked to bat first put up 341-4.

Prime Bank were bowled out for 283 in 49.2 overs despite an unbeaten 111 from Mushfiqur Rahim. Opener Tamim Iqbal was dismissed for just 1 after being caught by Naim off Taskin Ahmed but he seemed not to be satisfied with the umpire's decision. His opening partner Parvez Hossain Emon however made 56 but other batters, sans Mushfiqur couldn't stand tall in the crunch game.

Taskin and Tanzim Hasan Sakib claimed three wickets apiece for Abahani to rip through Prime Bank's batting line up. It was Prime Bank's fourth defeat in 10 games but they are still in the Super League race.

Meanwhile, title aspirant Sheikh Jamal Dhanmondi Club put them in second position in the Dhaka Premier League (DPL) after securing a five-wicket win over Partex Sporting Club at Khan Shaheb Osman Ali Stadium in Fatullah at the same day. Captain Nurul Hasan Sohan led the team from the front with 75 ball-76 not out, an innings laced with eight fours and two sixes.

Taibur Rahman came up with a sterling all-round performance, that included a three-wicket haul for just 19 runs in 10 overs and a match-winning 39 not out while fast bowler Shafiqul Islam claimed 4-32 to also play the vital role in helping the side clinch the victory.

Opting to bat first, Partex were bowled out for 205 in 48.2 overs with Ahrar Amin, making the highest 35. Two other batters-Zahiduzzaman (32) and Tanbir Hyder (30) crossed 30-run mark but none of them could convert into a big knock.


Thanks to Sohan's knock, as Jamal reached winning total of 206-5 in 46 overs.

Legends of Rupganj stayed in the Super League race by recording a dominating 10-wicket victory over Gazi Tyres Cricket Academy in the day's another match at BKSP-3 ground. Opener Tawfiq Khan Tushar blasted a 66 ball-114 not out, hammering 12 fours and eight sixes to script the facile victory.  Put into bat first, Gazi Tyres were bundled out for 150 in 44.2 overs, which Legends gunned down in emphatic fashion, thanks to Tushar's century as they cantered to the victory in just 19.2 overs. Tushar's opening partner Shadman Islam was not out on 35.