Gazi Group won the toss and elected to field first. It looked like a decent decision in the beginning when Mizanur Rahman got out after scoring just a single run. Myshukur Rahman was the next to depart after scoring only 8 runs.

At 35 for 2, things were looking awkward for the Brothers. Debabrata Das and Junaid Siddique, however, caught the game by the scruff of its neck to take the score to 81, before the former departed. In came the in-form Alok Kapali.

Alongside Das, Kapali helped the score reach 159 before he too departed for 41. Das, meanwhile, was at his brilliant best to score his first century in this Dhaka Premier League. He scored 112 runs from 109 balls to take Kapali’s men to 273 after the loss of 5 wickets.

He was also superbly supported by Yasir Ali’s 36-ball 54 on the other side.

Among the Gazi Group bowlers, Rubel Ahmed and Nayeem Hasan took two wickets each while Abu Hider took a scalp himself as they now need to score 274 runs to win.

Gazi Group, despite losing an early wicket, started well. After Mahedi Hasan fell for 10, Imrul Kayes and Mominul Haque have held it together before the former got out to Ifthekhar Sajjad, but it was not before he made a superb 56-ball 65.

Mominul Haque, meanwhile, did an excellent job himself, but fell prey to the fangs of Alok Kapali after making 57 from 49 balls. After that, none of the other batters could come up with inspirational performances as Gazi Group were staring at defeat.

Then there was a shining light which dispelled all the darkness. Gurkeerat Singh, who has represented India in three ODIs, the man with experience of playing in the IPL, played a fantastic innings to almost single handedly win the game for his team.

He kept his nerves calm and scored 71 from 88 balls and held on at one end to ensure a win for his team. And so he did as he left the pitch with a victory in his bag.

They only won with five balls sparing.

The Brothers’ bowlers tried their best, but couldn’t get the win. Khaled Ahmed, Mehedi Hasan Rana and Nihaduzzaman took two wickets each while Kapali and Ifthekhar Sajjad grabbed a wicket each. 

Scores:

Brothers Union - 273/5 after 50 overs
Gazi Group Cricketers - 276/8 after 49.1 overs

Picture credit: Getty Images