Saif, Forhad power Doleshwar

Two known performers for Prime Doleshwar Sporting Club once again made the difference in the ongoing Dhaka Premier League (DPL) yesterday. Doleshwar opener Saif Hassan struck a stroke-filled 124-ball 102 before skipper Forhad Reza bagged a fifer to help bundle Gazi Group out for 230 runs to set up a six-wicket win at the Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium in Mirpur.

At the Khan Shaheb Osman Ali Stadium in Fatullah, Khelaghar Samaj Kallyan Samity defended a lowly 212 for eight and won by 27 runs courtesy of an all-round performance from Robiul Islam against Bangladesh Krira Shikkha Protisthan (BKSP).

In the day's other game, Brothers Union rode on a magnificent 161-run opening stand between Mizanur Rahman and Junaid Siddique to chase a challenging 264 for eight posted by Uttara Sporting Club and complete a comfortable eight-wicket win at the BKSP-3 ground.

Forhad, who had put in some notable performances in Bangladesh Premier League that finished IN early February, displayed some good form in the DPL's inaugural T20 competition and also carried the impressive performances in the ongoing 50-over version of the coveted tournament. Forhad finished as the highest wicket taker, with 11 wickets from four matches, in the DPL T20. The middle-order batsman also finished as the fifth highest run-getter with 107 runs, helping his side finish as runners-up in the tournament.

It was yet again a brilliant showing by the right-hander, as he returned figures of five for 40 before remaining unbeaten on a 10-ball 21 to help his side romp to an easy victory over Gazi Group with 25 balls to spare.

It was Saif's batting that picked up the baton of Forhad's heroics with the ball as the right-hander's brilliant century made the chase a simple one for Doleshwar. In the ongoing league, Saif had previously scored an unbeaten 83 and 85 against Shinepukur Cricket Club and Prime Bank respectively, with both innings helping Doleshwar to wins.

In Fatullah, opener Robiul's 117-ball 75, alongside valuable contributiona from Mahidul Islam (49 off 87) helped Khelaghar stutter to a mediocre total. It was, however enough for Khelaghar to seal a victory against BKSP, thanks again to Robiul's economical figures of two for 28 in seven overs and their well-disciplined bowling unit.

At BKSP, Brothers Union batsmen ruled the game as their top-order batsmen got among the runs. Opener Mizanur scored 108 off 113 balls, but fellow opener Junaid fell just eight runs short of his century. Number three Fazle Mahmud then completed the set with an unbeaten 57 that guided them to victory over Uttara Sporting.

SCORES  IN  BRIEF 

GAZI GROUP V DOLESHWAR

Gazi Group: 230 all out in 49.1 overs (Parvez 67, Shamsur 45; Forhad 5-40, Sunny 2-51)

Doleshwar: 231 for 4 in 45.5 overs (Saif 102, Saad 35 not out, Forhad 21 not out; Rabbi 2-39)

Result: Doleshwar won by six wickets.

KHELAGHAR V BKSP

Khelaghar: 212 for 8 in 50 overs (Robiul 75, Mahidul 49; Hasan 3-33)

BKSP: 185 for 9 in 50 overs (Shamim 56, Sumon 24 not out; Robiul 2-28, Masum 2-30, Ifran 2-36)

Result: Khelaghar won by 27 runs.

UTTARA SC V BROTHERS UNION

Uttara Sporting: 264 for 8 in 50 overs (Tanzid 75, Mohimenul 64, Anisul 58; Sharifullah 2-44)

Brothers Union: 267 for 2 in 48.2 overs (Mizanur 108, Junaid 92, Fazle 57 not out)

Result: Brothers Union won by 8 wickets.