Bangladesh skipper Mashrafee bin Murtaza claimed a six-wicket haul to help his side Kalabagan Krira Chakra beat Legends of Rupganj by 10 runs in Duckworth/Lewis method in their Dhaka Premier League match on Monday. Mashrafee, whose career was blighted by countless injuries, proved he still has a lot in him as he produced a brilliant spell to claim 6-42 that bundled out Rupganj for 191 before Kalabagan reached 127-4 in 35.4 overs at Fatullah.
Rain did not allow any more play leaving Kalabagan win their fourth match in nine games according to Duckworth/Lewis method. It also denied Rupganj the top spot in the league as they remained stuck with 11 points.
Mashrafee last got a five-for in a competitive game back in 21 May 2008, when he claimed 5-31 for Biman Bangladesh Airlines against Mohammedan Sporting Club in a DPL match.
The six-for also took his tally in this season’s DPL to 20 making him the second highest wicket taker so far behind Victoria Sporting Club’s Sri Lankan spinner Chaturanga de Silva, who has 23 wickets till now.
This was also the second man of the match performance for the inspirational captain, who got 104 runs off 51 balls against Sheikh Jamal Dhanmondi club, the quickest by a Bangladeshi in List A cricket, a couple of weeks ago.
Mashrafee won the toss and invited the opponents to batting and made some impact as a fielder before taking the cherry in his hand as he held his national team-mate Soumya Sarkar (seven) off the bowling of Dewan Sabbir.
That was the second wicket for right-arm pacer Sabbir, who also got another opener Shahin Hossain for five, and reduced Rupganj to 19-2.
Mashfrafee came in the attack as the fifth bowler in the 21st over and made his impact straight away as he dismissed Mohammad Mithun (31) by getting him caught behind in the fifth ball of that over.
Later Mashrafee also dismissed his counterpart Mosharraf Hossain (four) after Shahbaz Chouhan, 20-year old left arm spinner hailed from Dhaka, got rid of Indian Ishank Jaggi (20) to leave Rupganj on 87-5.
Asif Ahmed (40) and Sajjadul Haque, who was the highest scorer with 48, added 78 runs in their partnership before Asif was out in the bowling of Sabbir in the 24nd over.
Mashrafee did not take long to wrap-up the tail as he dismissed Sajjadul in the 44th over before taking three more wickets to restrict Rupganj for a lowly score.
In reply, Kalabagan lost their opener Jupiter Ghosh (14) when the score was 23 but his partner Jashimuddin and Indian Rohan Prem, both scoring 33 each, made a 52-run partnership.
Both the men got out in quick succession before Tasammul Haque (five) got out cheaply to leave the side in a precarious position of 91-4 in 26th over but Mehrab Hossain jnr (13 not out) and Tanveer Haider (24 not out) remained unbeaten before the rain intervened.
That ensured Kalabagan, who started the league with three consecutive defeats, got their second successive win and third win in their last four matches that effectively saved them from relegation.
Brief Scores
Legends of Rupganj 191 in 49 overs (Sajjadul 48, Asif 40, Mithun 31; Mashrafee 6-42, Sabbir 3-25) v Kalabagan Krira Chakra 127-4 in 35.4 overs (Jasimuddin 33, Rohan 33, Tanveer 24 not out; Babu 2-13)
Result: Kalabagan Krira Chakra won by 10 runs in D/L method.
Man of the match: Mashrafee bin Murtaza (Kalabagan KC)
-With New Age input
