Two contrasting half-countries by Tamim Iqbal and Mohammad Yousuf helped Mohammedan SC return to their winning ways after a tie-match as they defeated Surjo Tarun by three wickets in the third round Dhaka Premier League at the BKSP on Friday.
In the day’s other matches, Abahani continued their winning streak, convincingly defeating Gazi Tanks by seven wickets in Bogra and Bangladesh Biman followed up their feat with an emphatic 101-run victory over BKSP in Rajshahi.
Mohammedan v Surjo Tarun
After opting to bat first, Namidul Islam (71) and Junaed Siddique (59) struck fifties to lead Surjo Tarun to a challenging 245 runs on a sluggish BKSP wicket. Namid and Junaed added 137 runs for the fourth wicket before some lusty blows from wicketkeeper Dhiman Ghosh, who remained unbeaten on 39 off 19 balls with two boundaries and four sixes, took them to a total from where they had a realistic chance to upset the reigning champions.
However, Mohammedan made it look an easy chase as three of their batsmen struck fifties to take them to their target with five balls in hand. The openers of Mohammedan gave their team a blistering start, Tamim’s brilliant 66 came from only 38 balls with five boundaries and four sixes. Mohammad Yusuf contributed with an unbeaten 58 off 96 balls and Faisal Hossain chipped in with 54 off 81 balls.
Abdur Razzak and Sohrawardi Shuvo claimed two wickets each.
Abahani v Gazi Tanks
Mahmudullah Riyad claimed 3-24 while pacemen Alauddin Babu and Ali Hossain shared four wickets between them as Abahani dismissed Gazi Tanks for a meagre 131 runs before they raced to their target with more than 20 overs to spare.
Lee Carseldine and Mahmudullah scored unbeaten half-centuries to steer the side home after they had lost three wickets for only 22 runs. Australian cricketer Carseldine was unbeaten on 51 facing 71 balls while Mahmudullah made 57 not out. Mahmudullah, who later was suspended for a game for his altercation with two Gazi Tanks fielders, struck seven fours in his 78-ball innings.
Syed Rasel claimed two wickets for Gazi conceding 20 runs in his five overs.
Biman v BKSP
A dazzling third straight half-century in the league by Mushfiqur Rahim helped his team pile up a mammoth 252 runs after they were sent in to bat first. Mushfiqur (80 runs off 92 balls with 10 fours and a six) could not stay unbeaten as he did in the previous two rounds. Biman’s Sri Lankan recruit B Prerera contributed 68 off 104 balls and Pakistani Jeeshan Asif added 30 from 27 balls.
Shoumya Sarkar and Reaz Mahmud bagged two wickets each.
Shafiul Islam, Mosharraf Hossain and Mohammad Sharifullah each claimed two wickets as BKSP were all out for 151 runs with six overs still to play.
BKSP lost three quick wickets as they started their run chase. Tariqul Islam’s 21 runs off 46 balls, Jupiter Ghosh’s 37 runs from 63 balls and Asif Ahmed’s 40 off 60 balls could not stop the rout.
Shafiul Islam, Mohammad Sharifullah and Mosharraf Hossain collected two wickets each for their team.
Brief Scores
Mohammedan v Surjo Torun
Surjo Torun: 245-7 in 50 overs: Namidul Islam 71, Junaid Siddique 59, Dhiman Ghosh 39 not out; Shamsur Rahman 2-30, Sakib al Hasan 2-33
Mohammedan: Tamim Iqbal 66, Mohammad Yusuf 58 not out, Faisal Hossain 54; Abdur Razzak 2-44, Shohrawardi Shuvo 2-47
Result: Mohammedan won by three wickets
Toss: Surjo Torun
Abahani v Gazi Tanks
Gazi Tanks: 131 all out in 39.1 overs: T. Paranavitana 23, K. Weeraratne 21; Mahmudullah 3-24, Alauddin Babu 2-23
Abahani: Mahmudullah 57 not out, Lee Carseldine 51 not out ; Sayed Rasel 2-20, K Weeraratne 1-18
Result: Abahani won by seven wickets
Toss: Abahani
Biman v BKSP
Biman: 252-7 in 48 overs: Mushfiqur Rahim 80, B. Perera 68, Jeeshan Asif 30; Shoumya Sarkar 2-44, Reaz Mahmud 2-61
BKSP: 151 all out in 44 overs: Asif Ahmed 40, Jupitar Ghosh 37; Mohammad Sharifullah 2-20, Shafiul Islam 2-25, Mosharaf Hossain 2-38
Result: Biman won by 101 runs
Toss: BKSP
