National discard Afif Hossain hit his maiden hundred in list A cricket that guided Abahani Limited to beat Prime Bank Cricket Club by 42 runs in their second Super League match of the Dhaka Premier League at the Khan Shaheb Osman Ali Stadium on Thursday.
With Afif remaining unbeaten on a cracking 101-ball 111 and skipper Mosaddek Hossain finishing with 76 of 67 balls, Abahani propelled to a competitive 285-5.
In reply, Prime Bank were all-out for 243 in 45.4 overs, with Abahani’s Pakistani left arm spinner claiming 6-49.
With the victory, Abahani bolstered their top position on the points table, bagging 24 points from 13 games, while the defending champions, Sheikh Jamal, are holding the second spot with 22 points from the similar number of games.
In the day’s other two games, Gazi Group Cricketers suffered a 4-wicket loss against their Legends of Rupganj counterpart, while defending champions Sheikh Jamal Dhanmondi Club earned an 85-run victory over Mohammedan Sporting Club at the Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium and BKSP-3, respectively.
Sent to bat, Abhanai made a decent start as their opening pair Anamul Haque and Mohammad Naim went interrupted until the 50 as a team total.
However, the duo suffered an abrupt blow after the former was bowled for 31 runs by Prime Bank’s Pakistani recruit Kashif Bhatti, leaving the side at 55-1 in 9.3 overs.
The former titlists further lost their two more top orders, Mohammad Naim and Mahmudul Hasan Joy, inside the next 35 runs, that shortened them at 90-3.
The Sky Blues fought back strongly after Afif and Mosaddek shared a crucial 140-run stand in the fourth wicket to take the side close to the two hundred and fifty mark before the latter gave a catch to Zakir Hasan by Mahedi Hasan with only five overs to go in their innings.
However, Afif continued single-handedly and stood tall before all Prime Bank bowlers to post a challenging total.
Mahedi and Bhatti scalped two wickets apiece.
Pursuing a challenging target, Prime Bank lost their in-form opener Shahadat Hossain for 5, but rebounded in the tie, after Zakir and Prantik Nawrose Nabil added 68 runs in the second wicket stand before the former fell to Rishad Hossain for 51.
However, the side encountered massive trouble after incoming Mohamamd Mithun failed to add value for his side as Khushdil rattled his stumps for 16, while their seasoned all-rounder also got out for a golden duck by the same bowler, leaving the side at a staggering 136-4.
Then, banking on Nawrose’s 57 and Alok Kapali’s unbeaten run-a-ball 40, Prime Bank could post 243 before they were bowled out with 42 balls to spare.
At the SBNS, Gazi Group Cricketers made 265-9 thanks to 77 each from Farhad Hossain and SM Mehrob and an undefeated quick-fire 49 off 31 from Mohammad Enamul.
Tanbir Hayder was the standout bowler for Rupganj, taking 4-37.
In reply, Mashrafe led Rupganj reached the victory, 269-6, courtesy of Chirag Jani’s 81 off 73 balls and a 54-ball 57 from their opener Parvez Hossain Emon.
Tipu Sultan and Mahmudul Hasan claimed two wickets each.
At the BKSP-3, Fazle Mahmud struck an 86-ball 93, while Nurul Hasan Sohan and Shykat Ali made 70 off 60 balls and 50 that powered Sheikh Jamal to put a moderate 259-4 in a rain-marred 47-over game.
Mohammedan’s Sri Lankan recruit, Kamindu Mendis, was the peak among the bowlers, taking two wickets.
However, Mohammedan could manage 191 runs all out in 40.5 overs, thanks to 40 from Mahmudullah and 33 from Imrul Kayes.
Taibur Rahman was the most successful bowler for Sk Jamal, picking up 4-24, while Arif Ahmed took three wickets.
