Mashrafe bowls Abahani to fifth win

Mashrafe Bin Mortaza bowled Abahani to their fifth straight win in the Dhaka Premier League when the experienced pace bowler took five wickets for 29 runs in a 47-run defeat on Sheikh Jamal Dhanmondi Club at the BKSP in Savar today.

The inspirational Bangladesh ODI captain took two wickets with the new-ball and then returned to mop up the Sheikh Jamal tail as Abahani defended a competitive 270 for 7. But it was left-arm spinner Sunzamul Islam who took the vital wicket of wicketkeeper-batsman Nurul Hasan, the right-hander who threw caution to the wind with the power-packed 83 off 61 balls. The tall batsman smashed ten savage hits across the rope. Once he was dismissed in the 42nd over leaving his side at 205-7, Sheikh Jamal's hopes of a spectacular turnaround were effectively dashed. They were bowled out for 223 in 45.3 overs.

Earlier, the Abahani total was built around a fine century from their opener Anamul Haque, who struck 116 off 122 balls. The right-hander hit a dozen fours and four sixes in his polished knock. Mosaddek Hossain scored a patient 49 but Abahani reached a respectable total mainly due to a fighting 49-run stand for the unbroken eighth wicket between Mehedi Hasan (34) and Sunzamul (24).

Brothers Union's Indian recruit Debabrata Das scored the other century of the day, also at the BKSP. But his unbeaten 112 was not enough to avoid a two-wicket defeat against holders Gazi Group that has just been bolstered by the return of key players of the national team.

Riding on Debabrata's 112, which was well supported by Alok Kapali's 41 and Yasir Ali's 32-ball 54, Brothers posted a fighting 273 for 5 in their share of 50 overs.

But after Imrul Kayes (65) and Mominul Haque (57) gave Gazi a solid start, the holders never looked behind with their Indian recruit Gurkeerat Singh providing the finishing touches with an unbeaten 77. Singh hit five fours and a couple of sixes in his 88-ball undefeated knock as Gazi reached 276 for 8 in 49.1 overs.

At the Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium in Mirpur, Legends of Rupganj recorded a 55-run win against Prime Doleshwar.

On a day where 270 was an average score for the teams bating first, Legends of Rupganj thrived on three fifties to post 272-7. Opener Abdul Mazid scored 59 and skipper Naeem Islam struck 75. Mushfiqur Rahim, playing his first game in the Dhaka Premier League this year, scored a 67-ball 65. He struck eight fours. Arafat Sunny took three wickets for 40 runs. Forhad took two wickets but the right-arm medium pacer conceded 75 runs in his 10 overs.

Prime Doleshwar, in their chase, were bundled out for 217 runs in 47.5 overs against the twin spin attack from Asif Hossain (3-46) and Mosharraf Hossain (4-40).

Imtiaz Hossain scored 35 while Sunny made an unbeaten 28.

After yesterday's fixtures Abahani opened up a four-point lead from their nearest challengers in the 12-team table. It was Sheikh Jamal's second defeat in five games. They are now sharing the crowded second spot with Legends of Rupganj and Prime Doleshwar. It was Gazi's second victory in five games.