||CF Correspondent||

Anamul Haque Bijoy struck his third straight century in the Dhaka Premier League (DPL) to script Abahani Limited’s first defeat in the league.

On a day when Abahani tasted their first defeat, their archrivals Mohammedan Sporting Club also lost their way by conceding second successive defeat. In the day’s other match Legends of Rupganj got crushing victory thanks to a century from Mehedi Maruf and Jaker Ali.

Abahani vs Prime Bank

Defending champions Abahani Limited’s winning-streak in Dhaka Premier League (DPL) came to an end after they tasted a 16-run defeat to Prime Bank Cricket Club at Khan Shaheb Osman Ali Stadium at Fatullah on Friday.

Prime Bank’s opener Anamul Haque was instrumental in stripping the unbeaten tag of Abahani Limited, hitting his third straight century in the league.

His 102 off 128, studded five fours and two sixes helped his side compile a hefty 302-5 after which Prime Bank bowlers bowled well in tandem to dismiss Abahani for 286 48.5 overs.

Both of the team has now eight points from five games but Abahani still top the table, thanks to better-run-rate. Prime Bank’s Abhimanyu Eswaran who struck 133 in the previous match against Sheikh Jamal Dhanmondi Club, came up with handy contribution once again, scoring 85.

Ariful Haque, however, gave the late impetus, smashing a 27 ball-51 not out, which eventually helped Prime Bank go past 300 runs mark for the third time in the league in five matches. No other team could go past 300 more than once so far in the league.

Put into bat first, Anamul and his fellow opener Zakir Hasan (18) gave the side a solid start, adding 50 runs for the opening stand, after which Eswaran joined Anamul to further frustrate Abahani’s much-vaunted bowling line up.

He and Anamul, popularly known as Bijoy, combined for a 154-run partnership to set the tune of a big total. As Easwaran looked confident to hit his second successive century, left-arm spinner Sunzamul Islam dismissed him via leg-before.

He sent the ball across the rope four times, in addition to hitting a six in his 96 ball-85. Abahani got a glimmer of hope to restrict Prime Bank below 300 when they got Anamul just after he reached his third straight century in the league while Al-Amin couldn’t get going really.

But Abahani’s hope was dashed by Ariful Haque, who started sending everything out of the park once he came into the crease. His whirlwind 51 not out off 27, clattering seven fours was the catalyst of Prime Bank’s 300 plus total.

Rubel Hossain, Mosaddek Hossain, Nazmul Hossain, Sunzamul Islam and Soumya Sarkar picked up one wicket apiece for Abahani.

Jahurul Islam was removed for naught in pursuit of the big target but Soumya Sarkar and Wasim Jaffer kept Abahani in the hunt, sharing 62-run for the second stand.

Soumya once again failed to capitalize his start and got out on 36 but Jaffer and Nazmul Hossain Shanto seemed to take the side in comfort zone as they added 132-run for the third wicket stand.

However, Al-Amin Hossain claimed three vital wickets in the middle including Wasim Jaffer who was out for 94, missing out what could have been a well-deserved century. Al-Amin also got Mithun and well-set Shanto who made 73 to peg back Abahani.

Mosaddek Hossain battled lonely as the late middle order failed to give him adequate support. He was the last batsman to be out after scoring 47 ball-52. Al-Amin, Nahidul Islam and Abdur Razzak scalped three wickets apiece.

Mohammedan vs Sheikh Jamal

Domestic powerhouses Mohammedan Sporting Club tasted consecutive second defeat in the Dhaka Premier League (DPL) as Sheikh Jamal Dhanmondi Club held their nerve to edge them past by two wickets at the BSKP-3 ground.

Mohammedan were shot out for 240 in 49.1 overs after electing to bat first. Sheikh Jamal the champion of DPL T20, then registered their only second victory in the DPL 50-over format after overhauling the target in the last ball of the innings as they made 242-8.

Opener Imtiza Hossain hammered 74 off 102, hitting 10 fours, which gave the side a solid platform. But Mohammedan hit back through off-spinner Sohag Gazi who claimed 3-43 to derail Sheikh Jamal halfway through the innings.

It looked Mohammedan would end up as the winning side as they kept taking wickets at regular interval. However, No.9 batsman of Sheikh Jamal Enamul Haque ruined Mohammedan’s hope by hitting an unbeaten 28 off 17 with two fours and one six which eventually helped them get over the line.

Opener Abdul Majid continued his rich vein of form as he followed his century in the previous match with 52, the highest individual score for Mohammedan. Most of the batsmen of the Motijhit outfit got the start but just couldn’t carry on it.