Liton Das and Tawhid Hridoy hit fifties to lead Abahani closer to the title of the ongoing 2024 Dhaka Premier League as they defeated Prime Bank Cricket Club by five wickets on the first day of the Super League stage of the tournament at the Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium on Monday.
This victory means that the Sky Blues are now only two wins away from their 23rd league title as this was their 12th straight this season.
Liton, who had been struggling with his form with the national team last month, made an unbeaten 56, while Tawhid smashed a blistering 27-ball 55 to reach the holders of the harbour of victory, managing 183-5 in 38.3 overs, chasing 179.
Zakir Hasan scored the highest 68 for Prime Bank, and the next top score of 44 came from Mushfiqur Rahim.
Shoriful Islam picked up 3-27, while Taskin Ahmed, Tanvir Islam, and Mosaddek Hossain each took two wickets for the defending champions.
Prime Bank鈥檚 top order continued their poor form after they were sent in to bat as none of them could reach double digits as Shoriful and Taskin came up with the goods with the new ball.
The former drew the first blood by removing opener Parvez Hossain Emon for a duck in the first over. He struck again after two overs to dismiss Shahadat Hossain Dipu for four.
Taskin took part in the havoc by getting Tamim Iqbal give a catch to Tanvir for one, leaving Prime Bank at 5-3 in just 3.3 overs.
Veteran Mushfiq and Zakir then combined for 114 runs for the fourth wicket to recover from the early damage before the former was trapped by Tanvir.
Zakir then attempted to lead the charge but he failed to do so as he fell soon after bagging his second fifty of this season. And that was the end for Prime Bank as the rest crumbled to get bowled out for a total below 200.
Pursuing a humble total, Abahani couldn鈥檛 make a flying start either, losing opener Anamul Haque for 22 to Sunzamul Islam.
For the second wicket, Liton, who was dropped in the third ODI against Sri Lanka on the back of his consecutive dismissal for a duck in the first two games, took the onus and shared a 52-run partnership with skipper Najmul Hossain Shanto.
However, the latter fell on 22 to Mahedi Hasan. Then, banking on Liton and Tawhid鈥檚 cameo, Abahani reached the target with ease.
At BKSP-3, Shinepukur Cricket Club registered a 13-run victory over Gazi Group Cricketers in a low-scoring tie.
Opting to bat first, Shinepukur were bowled out for just 138 as Abdul Gaffar Saqlain and Husna Habib picked up three wickets each.
In reply, Gazi Group were bowled out for 125 in 27.4 overs as leg-spinner Rishad Hossain claimed 4-31 and Arafat Sunny took 3-45.
At Fatullah, Mohammedan Sporting Club defeated Sheikh Jamal Dhanmondi Club by 5 wickets. Opener Saif Hasan made 120, which propelled Sk Jamal to 259-2.
Needing 260, Mohammedan reached the target comfortably courtesy of a century from Mahidul Islam Ankon and an unbeaten 87 from Mahmudullah.
