Despite fifties from the top three batsmen, Brothers Union’s total didn’t grow as big as expected. However, the bowlers kept hopes alive by taking regular wickets. Yet, under pressure, Nurul Hasan Sohan once again showcased his responsibility. With the captain’s brilliant batting, Dhannmondi Sports Club began their journey with a fantastic win.
In another match of the Dhaka Premier League on Tuesday, Partex Sporting Club couldn’t put up a fight against Shinepukur Cricket Club. After fifties from Anik Sarkar and Ryan Rafsan, Rafiquzzaman Rafi’s tight bowling secured a big win for Shinepukur.
Fazle Mahmud-Sohan’s Fifties Seal Dhannmondi’s Victory
At the Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium in Mirpur, Dhannmondi defeated Brothers Union by 4 wickets. Chasing 263, they reached the target with 8 balls to spare.
Brothers’ top three batsmen—Mahfizul Islam, Imtiaz Hossain, and Mizanur Rahman—all scored fifties. In response, Fazle Mahmud and Sohan’s fifties guided Dhannmondi to victory.
After losing the toss and being asked to bat, Mahfizul and Imtiaz added 99 runs for the opening partnership. However, they consumed 148 balls. Imtiaz scored 50 off 75 balls, while Mahfizul stayed longer, scoring 84 off 111 balls.
At number three, Mizanur tried to accelerate the scoring. He hit 6 fours and 2 sixes to reach his fifty in 60 balls. However, he retired hurt due to a muscle strain after scoring 73 off 76 balls.
Apart from the top three, no other batsman could even cross 20 runs.
In the chase, Ashikur Rahman and Habibur Rahman started positively but couldn’t convert their starts into big scores. The opening partnership yielded 56 runs in 56 balls, with Ashikur scoring 23 and Habibur 32.
The third-wicket partnership of 78 runs between Fazle Mahmud and Yasir Ali Chowdhury steadied the innings. Yasir started well but couldn’t stay long, scoring 41 off 47 balls with 2 fours and 2 sixes.
Fazle Mahmud also departed after scoring 55 off 78 balls, leaving Dhannmondi at a precarious position. Sanzamul Islam and Moin Khan also disappointed, adding to the pressure.
However, Sohan, along with Ziaur Rahman, put on an unbeaten 48-run partnership to take Dhannmondi over the line. Sohan remained not out on 58 off 53 balls, hitting 4 fours, while Ziaur contributed 19 off 24 balls.
Match Summary:
- Brothers Union: 262/5 in 50 overs (Mahfizul 84, Imtiaz 50, Mizanur 73 retd hurt, Jahiduzzaman 2, Maishuk 13, Kapali 19*, Sohag 5, Suman 7*; Maruf 1-60, Kamrul 2-54, Ziaur 0-19, Sanzamul 1-51, Murad 1-44, Moin 0-31)
- Dhannmondi Sports Club: 264/6 in 48.4 overs (Ashikur 23, Habibur 32, Fazle Mahmud 55, Yasir 41, Sohan 58*, Sanzamul 3, Moin 11, Ziaur 19*; Al Amin 0-38, Suman 0-44, Asif 1-54, Yasin 3-43, Sohag 0-40, Kapali 1-36)
Result: Dhannmondi Sports Club won by 4 wickets.
Player of the Match: Nurul Hasan Sohan
Shinepukur’s Big Win
Anik Sarkar and Ryan Rafsan Rahman’s fifties, coupled with Jubair Hossain’s late onslaught, helped Shinepukur post a total close to 300. Later, Rafiquzzaman Rafi and Al Fahad’s excellent bowling restricted Partex from getting anywhere near the target.
At BKSP Ground No. 4, Shinepukur won by 77 runs. Chasing 299, Partex were bundled out for 221.
Left-arm spinner Rafi was the star with the ball, conceding just 14 runs in 10 overs while taking 3 wickets. Young pacer Al Fahad also picked up 3 wickets.
After losing the toss and being asked to bat, Shinepukur didn’t start well. However, Anik Sarkar counter-attacked at number three, scoring 77 off 78 balls with 5 fours and 4 sixes.
At number five, Rafsan completed his fifty in 58 balls and added another 37 runs off the next 23 balls. He needed 13 runs off the last over for a century but was caught off the first ball, falling short of the milestone.
In the final over, Jubair Hossain smashed 4 sixes off Muktar Ali, helping Shinepukur reach close to 300. Jubair’s 14-ball 39 was a crucial cameo.
Muktar conceded 99 runs in 9 overs, the second-most expensive bowling figures in List A cricket in Bangladesh. This unwanted record is jointly held by two players. Last year, Iqbal Hossain of Ghazi Tank Academy conceded 104 runs in 9 overs against Abahani in the Dhaka League. In 2011, Shahadat Hossain conceded 104 runs in 10 overs against South Africa ‘A’.
Partex never looked in the chase. Jowad Rowen, batting at number six, top-scored with 46, while Rubel Mia contributed 40.
The team’s big hope, Sabbir Rahman, disappointed, scoring 20 off 47 balls before getting out.
Match Summary:
- Shinepukur Cricket Club: 298/5 in 50 overs (Rahmatullah 13, Mainul 23 retd hurt, Anik 77, Rahim 18, Rafsan 87, Minhajul 30, Jubair 39*, Ali 1*; Mohor 1-42, Alauddin 1-42, Shahidul 1-43, Muktar 1-99, Ahraar 1-12, Jowad 0-36)
- Partex Sporting Club: 221 in 49.5 overs (Joyraj 7, Jasim 3, Rubel 40, Sabbir 20, Ahraar 21, Jowad 46, Alauddin 6, Shahidul 8, Muktar 24, Naeem 13*, Mohor 17; Fahad 3-50, Ali 1-38, Rafi 3-14, Jubair 0-9, Sharifullah 1-40, Rahim 2-35, Rafsan 0-22)
Result: Shinepukur Cricket Club won by 77 runs.
Player of the Match: Rafiquzzaman Rafi
