|| CF Correspondent ||

An all-round performance of Delwar Hossain who claimed 5-46 and hammered a 19 ball-34 helped Shinepukur Cricket Club stun Mohammedan by two wickets in a high-scoring thriller at the Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium on Friday.

Mohammedan seemed to have won the game with ease after piling up 324 before being all out in 49.3 overs. Shinepukur however stayed upbeat and finally gunned down the total with just two ball to spare, making 325-8.

The victory gave Shinepukur 9 points in 9 matches, taking them to fifth spot in DPL, which raised their hope to seal the Super League. Top six teams will play the Super League after the completion of the group phase. Mohammedan have 8 points in 9 games after this defeat, meaning they need to win rest of the two matches and wait for the outcome of the other matches.

Surprisingly no one could from either side hit century in a game where 649 runs were scored. Shinepukur’s Afif Hossain was the highest scorer in the game with 86 ball-97, smashing four fours and five sixes, an innings that led Shinepukur’s stunning victory.

In pursuit of big chase, Shinepkur lost two openers-Shadman Islam (21) and Sabbir Hossain (17) with the scoreboard reading 43. Unmukt Chand first made the genuine resistance, hitting a 51 ball-49 after which Afif took the onus.

While Afif kept the asking run-rate under control, there were significant contributions from the lower order batsman. No.8 Amite Hasan made 43, No. 9 Sohrawardid Shuvo and No. 10 Delwar Hossain scored identical 34 to help the side gun down such a big total. Delwar’s 34, featuring one fours and three sixes was significant particularly, given that his innings sailed the side home where there was slim hopes, with Shinepukur reeling to 261-7 in 44^th overs.

Sohag Gazi and Rajat Bhatia took two wickets apiece for Mohammedan.