National discard Roqibul Hassan continued to blaze with the bat as he guided title aspirants Gazi Tank Cricketers to a comfortable six-wicket win over Sheikh Jamal Dhanmondi Club in the Dhaka Premier League that saw as many as three centuries scored on Saturday.
Roqibul was unbeaten on 90 and Gazi Tanks remained at the top of the standings with 20 points as they reached their target of 260 losing four wickets in 46.4 overs after a late revival by Zimbabwe’s Elton Chigumbura, who struck 109, helped Sheikh Jamal put up a competitive 259-9 at the Fatullah Stadium.
In the other matches of the day in the third round of the Super League, Prime Bank Cricket Club skipper Ravi Bopara failed to change the fortune of his side despite scoring 138 as left-arm spinner Nazmul Apu’s five-wicket haul enabled Kalabagan Cricket Academy to earn a close seven-run victory.
Kalabagan, who posted 305-7 aided by Zimbabwean Hamilton Masakadza’s 125, dismissed Prime Bank for 298 in 49.2 overs as Rezaul Karim grabbed 5-54 with the cherry.
With two points separating second-placed Prime Doleshwar Sporting Club from table-toppers Gazi Tanks, the former were largely untroubled as they coasted to a seven-wicket win over Mohammedan Sporting Club in the other match of the day.
Gazi Tank Cricketers v Sheikh Jamal
A brave effort by Elton went in vain for Sheikh Jamal as out-of-favour opener Imrul Kayes and Roqibul piloted Gazi Tanks to an easy victory.
Batting first, Sheikh Jamal were struggling at 87-6, before Elton and Nahidul Islam (31) steadied the innings by registering 57 runs for the seventh wicket before Nahidul was removed by the Netherlands’ Ryan ten Doeschate, who took 3- 56.
Elton fought a lone battle, making an unbeaten 103 and along with Suvashis Roy added a further 83 runs for the last wicket as Sheikh Jamal ended on a respectable 259-9.
In reply, Gazi Tanks were 2-63 at one stage before left-handed batsman Imrul and Roqibul crafted 153 runs for the third-wicket stand to build up the platform for victory.
Imrul, who is the leading scorer in the DPL with 579 runs, scored 81 runs from 95 balls that included five fours and two sixes before he was dismissed by Nahidul but Roqibul was unhinged despite losing his partner.
Roqibul was undefeated on 90 from 93 deliveries and smashed 10 fours and two sixes to inspire his team to victory with 20 balls to spare.
Kalabagan Cricket Academy v Prime Bank
Hamilton blasted 125 to help Kalabagan earn a hard-fought seven-run win over Prime Bank as they ammassed 305 runs before dismissing Kalabagan for 298.
Hamilton hit 15 boundaries and five sixes on his way to the century while Abdul Majid (54) and Avishek Mitra (44) contributed significantly to steer Kalabagan to a 300-plus total.
English cricketer Ravi Bopara kept Prime Bank in the hunt as he and Taiabur Parvez added 159 runs for the third wicket partnership after they were 73-2 but the Englishman eventually ran out of partners on the other end.
Bopara scored 138 runs but it went in vain as left-arm spinner Nazmul Apu scalped 5-59 as Kalabagan fell short by seven runs.
Mohamedan Sporting Club v Prime Doleshwar
Forhad Reza (3-9) and Sabbir Ahmed (4-39) shared seven wickets between them as Prime Doleshwar dismissed Mohammedan for a paltry 128 in 42.3 overs before they reached their target of 145 in 27 overs with seven wickets in hand.
BRIEF SCORES
Gazi Tank Cricketers v Sheikh Jamal DC
Sheikh Jamal DC 259-9 in 50 overs (E Chigumbura 109 not out, M Rahim 38, N Islam 31; RT Doeschate 3-56) v Gazi Tank Cricketers 260-4 in 46.4 overs (R Hassan 90 not out, I Kayes 81; S Crook 2-46).
Result: Gazi Tank cricketers won by 6 wickets.
Man of the match: R Hassan (GTC)
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Prime Bank CC v Kalabagan Cricket Academy
Kalabagan CA 305-7 in 50 overs (H Masakadza 125, A Majid 54, A Mitra 44; R Karim 5-54) v Prime Bank CC 298 in 49.5 overs (R Bopara 138, T Parvez 76, S Jayasuriya 37; N Apu 5-59, Z Masud 2-29, A Mitra 2-45).
Result: Kalabagan CA won by 7 runs.
Man of the match: N Apu (KCA)
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Prime Doleshwar SC v Mohammedan SC
Mohammedan SC 143 in 42.3 overs (M Ali 46, U Tharanga 24; S Rumman 4-39, F Reza 3-9, S Alam 2-33) v Prime Doleshwar 145-3 in 27 overs (M Maruf 40, R Talukdar 37, M Haque 33; D Hossain 1-28).
Result: Prime Doleshwar SC won by 7 wickets.
Man of the match: F Reza (PDSC)
-With New Age input
