Bangladesh opener Tamim Iqbal struck a century to lead Brothers Union to their first win in their second Dhaka Premier League match this season against Gazi Tank Cricketers at new venue BKSP-3 on Sunday. National paceman Rubel Hossain achieved a rare feat in domestic cricket, when he grabbed 5-37 for Gazi Tanks, his second consecutive five-wicket haul after his 6-18 against Khelaghar Samaj Kallyan Samity on September 10.
At the Shaheed Chandu Stadium in Bogra, Naeem Islam also smashed a ton as Kalabagan Krira Chakra registered their first win in their second match against Prime Bank Cricket Club.
Meanwhile, Nasir Hossain guided defending champions Victoria Sporting Club to a straightforward five-wicket victory over Khelaghar at Fatullah.
Brothers v Gazi Tanks
Brothers opener Tamim blasted 11 fours and three sixes as the Gopibagh-outfit posted 246 all out in 49.2 overs after Gazi Tanks won the toss and asked Brothers to bat first.
The southpaw reached his hundred in 91 balls and hit some lusty blows, especially in the 29th over of the innings when he thumped two sixes and two boundaries off the bowling of Mahmudullah.
Tamim’s brother Nafees Iqbal followed up his 150 in the previous match with a painstaking 83-ball 38, while British passport-holding Pakistani all-rounder Azhar Mahmood scored 33 off 24 deliveries.
Pace bowler Rubel Hossain was the star of the Gazi Tanks bowlers after he notched his second successive five-wicket haul. All five of Rubel’s dismissals came in his second spell, in which he conceded 21 runs from six overs.
As rain halted play in the 23rd over with Gazi Tanks at 54/7, their target was revised and they had to chase 244 in 38 overs. However, Gazi Tanks could manage only 107 runs in 38 overs for the loss of nine wickets, falling short by 136 runs as per the Duckworth/Lewis method.
Tamim was adjudged the man-of-the-match.
Prime Bank v Kalabagan
Naeem Islam inspired Kalabagan to their maiden win of the DPL 2013 in their second game after he smacked 104 off 95 balls.
Electing to take first strike after winning the toss, Kalabagan scored 254 all out in 50 overs courtesy of Naeem’s ton, which was studded with a dozen boundaries.
In reply, Prime Bank were bundled out for 168 in 41.4 overs to succumb to a 86-run defeat with Sri Lanka’s Bhanuka Rajapaksa’s 41-ball 50 a mere consolation.
Naeem was rewarded with the man-of-the-match award.
Victoria v Khelaghar
Playing their first match in the country’s premier limited-over competition after their opening match against Kalabagan Cricket Academy was washed out on September 11, Victoria recorded a five-wicket victory, which was made easier by Nasir’s 66.
Newcomers Khelaghar decided to bat first after winning the toss and managed only 118-7 in 50 overs. All of the Victoria bowlers returned with economical figures.
With Victoria left to chase 119, they romped to their target with more than 16 overs to spare and five wickets in hand as Nasir hit five fours and as many sixes to finish with 66 in 69 balls.
Nasir was adjudged the man-of-the-match.
Brief Scores
Brothers Union v Gazi Tank Cricketers
Brothers – 246-10 in 49.2 overs (Tamim 100, Rubel 5-37) v Gazi Tank – 107-9 in 38 overs (Target – 244 in 38 overs)
Result – Brothers Union won by 136 runs (D/L method)
Man of the match – Tamim Iqbal
***
Prime Bank Cricket Club v Kalabagan Krira Chakra
Kalabagan – 254-10 in 50 overs (Naeem 104, Baishya 3-34) v Prime Bank – 168-10 in 41.4 overs (Rajapaksa 50, Mubarak 3-41)
Result – Kalabagan won by 86 runs
Man of the match – Naeem Islam
***
Victoria Sporting Club v Khelaghar Samaj Kallyan Samity
Khelaghar – 118-7 in 50 overs (Enamul 2-25) v Victoria – 119-5 in 33.1 overs (Nasir 66)
Result – Victoria won by five wickets
Man of the match – Nasir Hossain
-With New Age input