Tamim ton takes Abahani thru'

Tamim Iqbal scored his first one-day century of the year at the BKSP yesterday and powered Abahani into the Super League. His ninth List-A hundred came at a time when Abahani were chasing a meagre 168 in 35 overs in a rain-affected game.

Batting first, Cricket Coaching School rode on Rajin Saleh's 95 and Mohammad Saifuddin's 50 to score 205 before being bundled out. Abahani's Shakib Al Hasan scalped three wickets while Taskin Ahmed, Abul Hasan and Mosaddek Hossain took two wickets each.

In reply, Abahani raced home in just 26.4 overs. They needed 168 to win after the Duckworth-Lewis calculations were applied due to a rain interruption yesterday. While they did lose the early wicket of Yusuf Pathan, who opened the innings alongside Tamim, they went on to win the game comfortably by nine wickets. Tamim smacked four sixes and eleven fours during his 86-ball 105 and remained unbeaten. He was ably supported by Nazmul Hossain Shanto, who scored 53 off 70.

In the day's other game league leaders Prime Doleshwar suffered an unexpected defeat at the hands of Prime Bank Cricket Club in Fatullah. Batting first, Prime Doleshwar were bundled out for 188 in 47.4 overs. Monir Hossain and Mohammad Azim took three wickets each while Rubel Hossain finished with a decent two for 39.

After the exchange, Sabbir Rahman scored an unbeaten 62 and India's Unmukt Chand scored 59 as Prime Bank raced home in 31.3 overs. Due to the inclement weather, Prime Bank's target was revised to 165 required from 36 overs. The century partnership for the fourth wicket took Prime Bank to 164 for three in 31.3 overs.

The game between Kalabagan Cricket Academy and Kalabagan Krira Chakra could not be completed due to inclement weather. It ended with Kalabagan Cricket Academy struggling at 35 for four in 14.2 overs with Mashrafe Bin Mortaza taking two wickets in seven overs.

With 14 points in 11 games Abahani are now second in the table and along with Prime Doleshwar, Victoria Sporting Club and Legends of Rupganj, have confirmed their spots in the Super League. The last two places will be a battle between Mohammedan, Prime Bank, Gazi Group, Kalabagan KC and Sheikh Jamal Dhanmondi Club. 

SCORES IN BRIEF 
CRICKET COACHING SCHOOL: 205 all out (Rajin 95, Saifuddin 50; Shakib 3-35, Taskin 2-22, Abul 2-30)
ABAHANI: 170 for 1 in 26.4 overs (Tamim 105 not out, Nazmul 53 not out; Nazmus 1-16)
Result: Abahani won by nine wickets. 
PRIME DOLESHWAR: 188 all out in 47.4 overs (Rakibul 44; Azim 3-28, Monir 3-31, Rubel 2-39)
PRIME BANK: 164 for 3 in 31.3 overs (Sabbir 62 not out, Unmukt 59 not out; Rahatul 2-37, Sanjamul 1-42)
Result: Prime Bank won by seven wickets.