Victoria Sporting Club managed to restrict the win-less Cricket Coaching School club to 259 in 49.4 overs after CCS captain Rajin Saleh won the toss and decided to bat first at Khan Shaheb Osman Ali Stadium today.

The top-order of CCS contributed with substantial partnerships, but their middle and lower batters left a lot to be desired. From a commanding position of 200 for 3 after 40 overs, CCS buckled under pressure as Victoria Sporting bowlers fought back with crucial breakthroughs.

Saif Hasan’s 78 in 79 balls with six fours and two sixes was the highlight of CCS’s innings. Saif carried on his good form after his 86 in the last match against Brothers. 40s from Pinak Ghosh, Rajin Saleh and Salman Hossain bolstered their team’s total.

Victoria Sporting Club’s Sri Lankan recruit Chaturanga de Silva was the pick of the bowlers today, and took four wickets for 47 in 9.4 overs. He already has a five-for against Prime DSC and six-for against Abahani in the ongoing DPL. Kamrul Islam Rabbi captured four for 54 in 10 overs.

A strong performance from their top-order batters allowed Brothers Union to reach 262 in 49.3 overs after Kalabagan Krira Chakra captain Mashrafe Mortaza opted to bowl first at BKSP No.3 ground.

The second wicket partnership of 126 runs placed Brothers at a relatively strong position, but Kalabagan didn’t let the opposing batters get away, and pegged Brothers back with regular wickets after 30 overs. Tushar Imran played a captain’s knock with 77 from 87 today. Imrul Kayes made 67.

Four bowlers for Kalabagan picked up two wickets each. Dewan Sabbir, Sharifullah, Abdur Razzak and Hamilton Masakadza all got their names in the wickets column.

At Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium, the match between Sheikh Jamal Dhanmondi Club and Gazi Group Cricketers was reduced to 38 overs due to rain interruption. Gazi Group captain Alok Kapali won the toss and invited Sheikh Jamal to bat.

Sheikh Jamal managed to score 168 for the loss of nine wickets in their allotted overs. After an enterprising opening stand of 62, Sheikh Jamal suffered breakthroughs at regular intervals, and Abdullah Al Mamun held the innings together with 69 from 86 balls. His highest score in DPL 2016 contained seven fours and three sixes.

Mohammad Sharif grabbed his best bowling figures of DPL 2016 with four wickets for 43 runs in eight overs, and took a hat-trick to stall Sheikh Jamal. His victims in the 34th over include Mahmudullah, Zahid Hossain and Nazmus Sadat. Saeed Anwar jnr helped his side with two wickets today.

Scores in brief:

Cricket Coaching School 259 all out in 49.4 overs (Saif 78, Pinak 42, Chaturanga 4-47)

Brothers Union 262 all out in 49.3 overs (Tushar 77, Imrul 67, Sharifullah 2-28)

Sheikh Jamal Dhanmondi Club 168 for 9 in 38 overs (Abdullah 69, Mahmudullah 30, Sharif 4-43)