Naim strikes ton as Abahani crush Mohammedan; Rupganj’s Babu bags hattrick, fifer

Naim Sheikh struck an unbeaten century to help Abhani Limited clinch a comfortable six-wicket win over archrivals Mohammedan Sporting Club in the Dhaka Premier League on Wednesday.

Chasing a modest target of 236, Abahani rode on Naim's unbeaten 110 off 87 deliveries which featured four sixes and eleven fours as Mohammedan, who were searching for their first win in the league, faced their third consecutive defeat while Abahani registered their third win on the trot.

Afif Hossain, who lost his place from the national squad in the ongoing white-ball series against Ireland, scored 49 off 41 balls while Mosaddek Hossain remained not out on 25 runs to guide their team to the target in only 34.3 overs. 

Earlier, despite a brilliant 137-run opening stand between skipper Imrul Kayes and Mahidul Islam Ankon, Mohammedan eventually managed to post 235 for eight in 50 overs after electing to bat at the Sher-e-Bangla National stadium in Mirpur.

Imrul scored 68 off 96 balls, striking five fours and two sixes, while Ankon top-scored with 70. However, Mohammedan lost way following the departure of the duo. Mohammad Saifuddin scalped a four-fer to remain the pick of the bowlers for Abahani while Tanvir Islam and Tanzim Hasan Sakib took two wickets apiece for Abahani.

At BKSP-4 ground in Savar, Alauddin Babu stole the show with a hattrick that resulted in a five-wicket haul to help Rupganj Tigers seal an 11-run win over Gazi Group Cricketers.

Alauddin Babu. Photo: BCB

Chasing 252, Gazi Group were treated with some fiery bowling from Babu who removed the top three batters in the second over of the innings to complete his hattrick.

Akbar Ali and Anamul Haque scored eighties in the lower-middle order and raised some hope before Gazi Group were bundled out for 240 runs.

Babu, who picked up his maiden fifer in List A competition, ended up with the figures of five for 35 from his 9.4 overs. Nayeem Hasan chipped in with two wickets for the bowling side.

Earlier, Rupganj posted 251 for eight in 50 overs. Skipper Naeem Islam top-scored with 78 runs while opener Imranuzzaman added 68 runs.

Elsewhere, skipper Marshal Ayub's century helped Agrani Bank Cricket Club to clinch their first win of the tournament as they beat Dhaka Leopards comprehensively by 118 runs at BKSP-3 ground.

Marshal Ayub. Photo: BCB

Apart from Marshal's 108-ball 100, which featured two sixes and three fours, opener Shadman Islam scored 73 runs to steer  Agrani in posting a challenging total of 258 for seven after electing to bat.

Dhaka, in reply, were bundled out for just 137 runs, courtesy of left-arm spinner Elias Sunny's five-wicket haul while another left-arm spinner Arafat Sunny took two wickets for Agrani.