Raining records at BKSP

At the end of a game that saw four centuries shared equally by batsmen of either team, Bangladesh's highest ever List A total of 393 for four and the country's highest List A opening partnership between Anamul Haque and Nazmul Hossain, table-toppers Abahani clinched a 20-run win in the Duckworth-Lewis method against Prime Doleshwar Sporting Club in a rain-affected Super League encounter at the BKSP yesterday.

Interestingly, Doleshwar were 30 runs ahead in the D/L par score, chasing a mammoth 394 to win when rain first stopped play. The batting side were 217 for two in 30 overs after a brilliant partnership between Marshall Ayub and Fazle Mahmud for the third wicket.

There was confusion when the on-field umpires decided to restart the game at 5.28 pm as Doleshwar were arguing that the light was insufficient. The by-laws allow for a 30-minute extension on the umpires' discretion after the official cut-off time of 5.15 pm.

Abahani batsman hits a boundary on way to scoring 126 in their Super League match against Prime Doleshwar at the BKSP in Savar. Photo: Firoz Ahmed

Doleshwar were given the revised target of 278 runs from 35 overs but despite both Marshall and Fazle reaching their centuries, the batting side lost momentum and ended on 244 for three in 34.1 overs when rain once again stopped play, this time for the final time with Doelshwar 21 runs behind the par score.

The 207-run third-wicket stand was eventually broken after with Fazle's wicket (100 off 87 balls with four sixes and nine fours), while Marshal remained unbeaten at the other end on an 88-ball 108 studded with three sixes and nine fours.

None of the Doleshwar were willing to comment about the confusion regarding playing conditions, but those present there said there was enough light for the match to go on.

Earlier, the record opening stand of 236 between Anamul and Nazmul, Abahani posted 393 for four in 50 overs.

Anamul, who struck his second hundred of the season, was eventually run out after scoring 128 off 126 balls with seven fours and six sixes. Nazmul struck his third hundred of the league and was more aggressive in his 106-ball 121 which featured 12 fours and two sixes.

Prime Doleshwar skipper Forhad Reza remonstrates with the umpires when asked to resume play after a rain-enforced break while chasing Abahani's 393 in Savar yesterday. PHOTO: STAR

After the departure of the two centurions, Indian recruit Hanuma Vihari's blistering 36-ball 66 and Mohammad Mithun's quick-fire 24-ball 47 propelled Abahani to the highest score on Bangladesh soil.