Prime Doleshwar move to top, Abahani seal last-over win in DPL

A scintillating bowling display has propelled Primer Doleshwar Sporting Club to the top spot in the Dhaka Premier League.

Prime Doleshwar crushed Sheikh Jamal Dhanmondi Club by eight wickets at the Khan Shaheb Osman Ali Stadium on Saturday to embark on a three-match winning streak.

Electing to bowl in Fatullah, Al-Amin Hossain struck twice early while medium-pacer Farhad Reza snared four wickets and spinner Sunzamul Islam took three to skittle out Sheikh Jamal for a measly 99 in 27.1 overs.

No Sheikh Jamal batsman barring Angelo Perera (33) and Mahmudullah (24) could manage two-digit score.

Prime Doleshwar lost Imtiaz Hossain to offspinner Shohag Gazi in the first delivery of the chase. Rony Talukdar (17), too, went back early.

But Raqibul Hasan (53) and Chamara Silva (27) put up 65 in an unbroken third-wicket stand to cruise to the win in 20.1 overs.

In other encounters of the day, Abahani Limited managed a last-over win over Brothers Union by two wickets, thanks to a six and a four from Saqlain Sajib.

Asked to bat first, Imrul Kayes (69) gave Brothers a sturdy base sharing a 76-run opening stand with Shahriar Nafees (35) at BKSP-3 in Savar.

But leg spinner Jubair Hossain (4-44) then ran through the top and middle order which saw Brothers slip from 128-1 to 149-6. Nur Alam (39) and Sadiqur Rahman (38 not out) showed resolve down the order to lift their team to a decent 244-9.

Mosaddek Hossain (47) joined Uday Kaul (59) for a 57-run partnership and Abul Hossain (23) for a 52-run stand to lift Abahani to a strong position in their chase.

Despite that Abahani were reduced to 217-8 in the 48th over. But Saqlain (20 off 14) and Jubair (19 off 10) then added 31 crucial runs to see their team over the line with a ball to spare.

At Mirpur's Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium, a sparkling all-round show from skipper Shuvagata Hom Chowdhury helped Prime Bank to a comfortable 47-run win over Kalabagan Krira Chakra.

The 29-year-old right-handed allrounder smashed 60 off 54 balls while Sabbir Rahman (53) and Taibur Rahman (52) struck gritty knocks before Prime Bank were bowled out in 48.4 for a challenging 280 after being sent in to bat first.

Kalabagan captain Mashrafe Bin Mortaza, who opted to play despite suffering from high fever, returned 4-56 while Dewan Sabbir, Abdur Razzak and Sharifullah took two wickets apiece.

Shadman Islam (45) and Jashimuddin (25) gave Kalabagan a fine start in their chase, pairing for 79 for the first wicket. After both the openers fell to Monir Hossain, Hamilton Masakadza (61) and Mehrab Hossain Junior (27) lifted their team to 144-2 in 32 overs.

Shuvagata then took a stunning catch at short midwicket to remove Mehrab as debutant Raihan Uddin (4-38) and Rubel Hossain (2-51) tore through the middle order to leave Kalabagan reeling on 194-7.

Shuvagata then cleaned up the tail taking 2-44 as Kalabagan managed 233 in 45.4 overs.