Abahani keep DPL title hope alive
Pic: Cricfrenzy
CF Correspondent
Defending champions Abahani Limited secured their third straight victory in the Super League phase to keep their title hope alive as they clinched a facile six-wicket victory over Prime Bank Cricket Club at Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium on Friday.
Mohammad Saifuddin continued his good bowling form, claiming his second five-for in List A cricket to help Abahani bundle Prime Bank out for 226 in 49.3 overs. Abahani however cantered to the victory by making 228-4 in 44.4 overs.
This was indeed a sweet revenge for Abahani who lost to Prime Bank in the group phase match by 16 runs.
Abahani remained in second spot with 22 points, two points adrift of the league leaders Legends of Rupganj and need to win the rest of the two matches to retain the title.
In the first match of the Super League, Saifuddin snapped up his career-best 5-9. He couldn’t eclipse the record but showed as to why he is considered as the best weapon for Bangladesh in the upcoming World Cup.
He returned figures of 5-32 to dismantle the Prime Bank’s top order after they were sent to bat first. Along with Saifuddin Mashrafe Bin Mortaza also dazzled with 2-50 to leave Prime Bank in a precarious 66-6. Alok Kapali and Nayeem Hasan saved the side from ultimate shamble sharing 108 runs which finally enabled them to go past 200 runs mark that looked unlikely at one phase.
Kapali was the highest scorer with 80 while Nayeem Hasan made 51.
Abahani also suffered a top order collapse to be reduced to 55-3 before Nazmul Hossain Shanto and Wasim Jaffer eased the tension. They shared 122-run for the third wicket stand to make the chase a one-way traffic. Jaffer was dismissed for 64 but Shanto remained not out on 77 and propelled the side home.
Nayeem Hasan picked up 2-49 after hitting 51 with willow but his all-round effort went in vain against a spirited Abahani Limited.
