Tamim blazes to record List A score

Bangladesh opener Tamim Iqbal hammered a 125-ball 157 at the BKSP yesterday to lead Mohammedan Sporting Club to a 24-run victory against Kalabagan Krira Chakra in the second round of the Dhaka Premier League.

Tamim, who hit seven sixes and 18 fours, now holds the record for the highest List A score posted by a Bangladeshi in Bangladesh. He eclipsed Mehrab Hossain's 155 which the latter had posted on April 2, 2007.

Apart from Tamim and Mehrab, there are just two other Bangladeshi players -- Nafees Iqbal and Anamul Haque -- who crossed the 150-mark at home.

The highest List A score in Bangladesh though was posted by Shane Watson when he hit 185 in an ODI against Bangladesh in 2011.

Tamim did not play the first game for Mohammedan and it seemed as though he was adamant to make up for the missed opportunity. He reached his 100 off 102 balls and scored the next 50 runs off just 21 deliveries. It was because of his century that Mohammedan managed to post 307 in the first innings.

Kalabagan, however, did not give up without a fight. They began the chase well after the exchange. Mohammad Ashraful opened the innings and he scored a 49-ball 46 before getting out.

Mohammad Al-Amin's maiden List A century set up Prime Bank Cricket Club's 59-run win over Khelaghar Samaj Kalyan Samity at BKSP yesterday. PHOTO: STAR

Tushar Imran and Hamilton Masakadza shared a 92-run stand for the third wicket and by the 30th over, they were coasting at 160 for two. However, Tushar was caught off Mehedi Hasan Miraz in the 31st over for 64 and that is when they lost their way. Three overs later, Miraz dismissed Mehrab Hossain and the wickets continued to flow. Masakadza was the last hope and he was run out in the 43rd over for 68. A few strong hits from Muktar Ali, who scored a 32-ball 38, brought the score to 283, but the chase had run out of steam after the fall of Masakadza.

In the day's other game at the BKSP, Mohammad Al-Amin scored his first List A century to guide Prime Bank Cricket Club to a 59-run win over Khelaghar. He hit 106 off 94 balls with nine fours and three sixes. It was an important knock, especially since Prime Bank had lost their key batsmen Soumya Sarkar, Sabbir Rahman and Unmukt Chand early in the innings. They were struggling at 134 for four. The direction of the game, however, changed after the 35th over when Zakir Hossain joined Al-Amin for the sixth wicket and shared a 99-run stand. The talented Zakir, who was Bangladesh's under-19 wicketkeeper, scored 50 off 38 balls with five fours and two sixes.

Like Mohammedan, Prime Bank too ended up posting 307. In reply Khelaghar felt the pressure and were bundled out for 248 in 47.1 overs. Nazmus Sadat was their highest run-getter with 56.

The match at the Khan Shaheb Osman Ali Stadium was a comparatively low-scoring one. Gazi Group Cricketers, guided by Parvez Rasool's four-wicket haul, beat Victoria Sporting Club by eight wickets. Victoria were first bowled out for 177.

Half-centuries from Anamul Haque and Jahurul Haque, who shared a century stand for the opening wicket, helped Gazi Group overcome the total in just 31.2 overs.

SCORES IN BRIEF

MOHAMMEDAN SC V KALABAGAN KRIRA CHAKRA BKSP

MOHAMMEDAN: 307 for 9 (Tamim 157,Shamsur 38; Sanjit 4 for 52, Nabil 2-44)

KALABAGAN KC: 283 for 9 (Masakadza 68, Tushar 64, Muktar 38 not out; Kamrul 3-69, Mehedi 2-56)

Result: Mohammedan won by 24 runs.

Player of the match: Tamim Iqbal

PRIME BANK CRICKET CLUB V KHELAGHAR SKS

PRIME BANK: 307 for 6 (Al-Amin 106, Zakir 50; Shamsul 2-62, Dollar 2-67)

KHELAGHAR: 248 all out in 47.1 overs (Nazmus 56, Salauddin 41; Nahidul 2-31, Rubel 2-35, Unmukt 2-35)

Result: Prime Bank won by 59 runs.

Player of the match: Al-Amin

VICTORIA SPORTING CLUB V GAZI GROUP CRICKETERS

VICTORIA: 177 all out in 48.4 overs (Uttam 29; Parvez 4-28, Abu 2-19, Alauddin 2-31)

GAZI GROUP: 181 for 2 (Jahurul 52, Anamul 50; Arafat 1-22)

Result: Gazi Group Cricketers won by eight wickets.

Player of the match: Parvez Rasool