Staff Correspondent
Tamim Iqbal came out of the shell to smash 164 and help Abahani avenge their first phase defeat to Gazi Tanks with a massive 114-run victory in the Super League of the Dhaka Primer League on Monday.
With this win at the Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium, Abahani maintained a four-point lead over their nearest rivals Surjo Taurn and Gazi Tanks, who too recorded victories in their respective matches.
Wicketkeeper/all-rounder Khaled Mashud effected five dismissals including four stumpings, a rare feat if not a record, before he scored an unbeaten 66 to guide Surjo Taurn to a three-wicket win over Mohammedan Sporting Club at the Fatullah stadium.
Bangladesh Biman rode on two half-centuries from Javed Omar and Zahid Niaz to beat Partex SC by seven runs at the BKSP in the other opening round match of the Super League.
Abahani v Gazi Tanks
Tamim, known for his ability to deflect any attacks on a given day, chose Gazi Tanks to show his quality as he struck all around the ground to propel Abahani to 344-7, the highest total of the season.
Tamim was in such a destructive mood that he even raised the prospect of scoring a rare double century before he went down the wicket to be stumped by Mohammad Mithun off Enamul Haque Jr.
Abahani had still 4.3 overs to play when his 143-ball innings, adorned with 18 fours and four sixes, came to an end. It was his second highest individual score in domestic league after his 188 against Partex for Old DOHS two years ago.
Only one blemish in his innings was a catch he had given at point off Enamul when he was on 74. National skipper Mohammad Ashraful missed the easy chance despite running hard from the cover.
Apart from the innings of Tamim, the other highlight of Abahani innings was a 66 from Ranjan Parida, who added 158 runs with the opener in the third wicket stand. Skipper Mashrafee bin Murtaza (15 off six balls) and Nadif Chowdhury (26 off 13 balls) produced two cameos as Abahani plundered 113 runs in the last 10 overs.
Pacer Rubel Hossain bore the brunt of Abahani onslaught conceding 74 runs for his three wickets off 10 overs. Gazi Tanks were without their key pacer Robiul Islam, who had claimed six wickets to hand Abahani their only defeat in the first phase.
Replying to the mammoth total, Gazi Tanks lost both their openers without scoring any runs before skipper Ashraful scored 69 off 79 balls to save their face. Naeem Islam was unbeaten on 46 off 88 balls as Gazi ended their 50 overs at 230-6.
Mashrafee bowled off-spin again to return with 2-53. Shahadat Hossain Jr also claimed two wickets for Abahani giving away 30 runs.
Mohammedan v Surjo Tarun
Thanks to a fine glove-work from Khaled Mashud behind the stumps, Surjo Tarun restricted Mohammedan to 210-9 in 50 overs with skipper Sohrawardi Shuvo making highest 41 not out.
In reply, Surjo Tarun lost wickets at regular interval, but Mashud held his nerve to remain unbeaten on 66 off 111 balls steering the side to 211-7 with eight balls to spare. Tareq Aziz claimed 3-52 for Mohammedan.
Bangladesh Biman v Partex
Spinner Omar Faruk claimed 5-39 for Partex, but it did not stop Biman from posting a competitive
241-9 courtesy of two contrasting half-centuries from Javed Omar and Zahid Niaz.
While Javed needed 110 balls for his 66, Pakistani Niaz struck 59 from 63 deliveries, swatting four fours and three sixes.
Tariq Ahmed took Partex to a strong position with his 76 off 74 balls, but they were finally left stranded at 234-9 at the end of 50 overs with eight runs short of a victory.
Courtesy of NewAge
