Asif Ahmed struck his second half-century in four-matches to power Legends of Rupganj to a 29-run win over Kalabagan Cricket Academy in the rain-hit Dhaka Premier League match at BKSP on Friday. Sent into bat first, Rupganj posted 239-9 owing to half-centuries from Asif and Sajjadul Haque, who made 82 and 70 runs respectively and shared 131-run for the sixth wicket partnership.
Rain delayed the start of Kalabagan Academy innings for nearly two hours prompting the match officials to give them a revise target of 171 runs in 25 overs. However, they could score just 141-7 to concede their fourth defeat in as many matches.
Asif was adjudged man of the match for his 106-ball innings which featured eight fours and two sixes.
Rupganj, who claimed their second win in the league, should be indebted to the right-hander’s batting sensibly under pressure after the side had lost their first five wickets for just 81 runs.
Promising fast bowler Abu Jayed, who finished with 4-50, ripped the hearts out of Rupganj batting lineup along with former under-19 skipper Mehedi Hasan Miraz (2-29).
But Asif and Sajjadul, an unheralded all-rounder from Chittagong, who was playing his first match of the league, bailed out the side with their cautious effort.
Asif later opened the bowling to make the first breakthrough for Rupganj when he took a catch of his own bowling to dismiss opener Irfan Sukkur. Kalabagan Academy could not overcome the poor start and lost wickets at regular interval for a big defeat.
Tapash Ghosh made highest 37 runs off 46 balls with a four and six while Bishwanath Halder remained unbeaten on 32.
Brief Scores
Legends of Rupganj 239-9 in 50 overs (Asif 82, Sajjadul 70; Jayed 4-50) v Kalabagan CA 141-7 in 25 overs (Taposh 37 not out, Halder 32 not out; Nahid 2-15, Mosharraf 2-19)
Result: Legends of Rupganj won by 29 runs in D/L method.
Man of the match: Asif Ahmed (Legends of Rupganj)
-With New Age input