Last-over drama drowns Abahani

Prime Doleshwar pulled off a thrilling three-run win against leaders Abahani in a Dhaka Premier League game at the Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium in Mirpur yesterday.

Abahani needed 10 runs from the last six deliveries to topple Prime Doleshwar's 232 for 9. Ariful Islam, who along with Mohammad Mithun took the game to the wire, scored six runs off the first three deliveries including a boundary off the second ball from left-arm spinner Arafat Sunny, who however had the last laugh by having Ariful (21 off 16 balls) caught off the penultimate delivery with Abahani needing four runs to stage a remarkable turnaround. It was Abahani's second defeat in nine games. But they still lead the 12-team table with 14 points.

Sunny finished with 3 for 15. However, it was experienced right-arm medium pacer Forhad Reza who fashioned the exciting victory with an all-round show. He dismissed a menacingly poised wicketkeeper-batsman Mithun in the penultimate over, reducing Abahani to 219 for 9. Mithun hit a run-a-ball 60 before being bowled by Forhad, who finished with 3 for 42 from his ten overs. Forhad also scored a vital 28 off 26 balls in Doleshwar's fighting total which was built around half centuries from one-down Fazle Mahmud (68) and Farhad Hossain (63).

With this win Doleshwar moved to the second position, behind Abahani on 11 points. 

Away at the BKSP in Savar, holders Gazi Group, who are desperately trying to get out of the dreaded relegation zone, recorded a comprehensive seven-wicket win against Prime Bank thanks to a fine century from their captain Jahurul Islam.

Jahurul struck 103 as Gazi, chasing Prime Bank's 257 for 9, raced to 258 for 3 in 48.5 overs. The right-hander also featured in a vital 121 runs for the fourth wicket with Asif Ahmed after they were reduced to 63 for 3. Jahurul hammered eight fours and three sixes in his 113-ball knock. Asif, on the other hand, struck an unbeaten 91 off 105 balls.

Earlier, Prime Bank's fighting total was built around Indian Yousuf Pathan's robust unbeaten 72. The big hitting right-hander hammered four sixes and as many boundaries in his 60-ball knock. Young right-arm off-spinner Nayeem Hasan picked up four wickets for 53 runs for Gazi.

Gazi are now on eight points, equal to five other teams, and behind fifth placed Mohammedan, who recorded a 38-run win against promotees Shinepukur Cricket Club at the Khan Shahed Osman Ai Stadium in Fatullah.

Mohammedan thrived on four beefy half centuries to post 306 for 6, their second 300-plus score and the league's third. Rony Talukder struck a 73-ball 70, skipper Shamsur Rahman hit 60 and Raquibul Hasan scored a 52-ball 55. But it was Saeed Sarkar's whirlwind 25-ball 58 down the order that ensured Mohammedans big total. Saeed struck five sixes and a couple of boundaries in his undefeated knock.

A youthful Shinepukur however were never really in the chase despite Shuvagata Hom's 32-ball 52 and Mohammad Saifuddin's 68. They were eventually bowled out for 268 in 48.1 overs.

SCORES IN BRIEF 

PRIME DOLESHWAR V ABAHANI 

PRIME DOLESHWAR: 232-9 in 50 overs (Fazle Mahmud 68, Farhad 65, Reza 28; Manan 4-44, Sobuj 2-29, Mashrafe 2-47)

ABAHANI: 229-10 in 49.5 overs (Mithun 60, Nasir 53, Anamul 34; Reza 3-42, Sunny 3-51, Sharfuddin 2-36)

Result: Prime Doleshwar Sporting Club won by 3 runs.

MOHAMMEDAN V SHINEPUKUR

MOHAMMEDAN: 306-6 in 50 overs (Rony 77, Shamsur 60, Saeed 58 not out; Saifuddin 3-55)

SHINEPUKUR: 268-10 in 48.1 overs (Saifuddin 68, Shuvagata 52, Fardeen 34; Azim 4-45, Taijul 3-64)

Result: Mohammedan Sporting Club won by 38 runs.

GAZI GROUP V PRIME BANK 

PRIME BANK: 257-9 in 50 overs (Pathan 72 not out, Zakir 44, Al-Amin 37; Nayeem 4-53)

GAZI GROUP: 258-3 in 48.5 overs (Jahurul 103, Asif 91 not out, Fawad 29*; Enamul 2-52)

Result: Gazi Group Cricketers won by 7 wickets.