Iftakhar Hossain smashed a hundred and took three wickets on the opening day of the Dhaka Premier Division Cricket League as newcomers Gulshan Cricket Club thrashed star-studded Mohammedan Sporting Club by 107 runs at the BKSP Ground-3 on Monday.
Despite losing two early wickets after being put into bat first, Gulshan recovered well to reach 298-8 in 50 overs thanks to Iftakhar鈥檚 two partnerships of 83 and 94 with Zawad Abrar and Habibur Shaikh, respectively.
Iftakhar, who reached his hundred in 104 balls, struck nine fours and three sixes in his 108 off 110-ball innings. Left-arm pacer Abu Hider took 4-66 for Mohammedan.
Mohammedan, led by Tamim Iqbal鈥攚ho is also one of the investors of Gulshan鈥攍ost their openers inside the first powerplay.
However, they rebuilt with a 51-run partnership between Ariful Islam and Mahidul Islam, but it was soon followed by a mini collapse that saw them losing three wickets for 25 runs.
Ariful Islam (73 off 79) held one end, but none could give him company. The experienced duo Mushfiqur Rahim (seven off 14) and Mahmudullah (10 off 14) also failed as they were all out for 191 runs in 40.2 overs.
Agrani Bank Cricket Club, who were also promoted this season, began their league in style by thrashing defending champion Abahani Limited by six wickets at the Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium in Mirpur.
Abahani made 234 in 50 overs after twin fifties from Parvez Hossain and Mosaddek Hossain. In reply, Imrul Kayes hit 94 off 90, bolstering Agrani Bank to reach the target.
After being put into bat first, Abahani put on one fifty and two forty-plus partnerships, but none was bigger. The 54-run partnership came between Parvez and Najmul Hossain Shanto, who was later dismissed for 20 off 51.
Mosaddek (73 off 65) and the lower middle order helped the defending champions cross 200, but it was not enough eventually. Shohidul Islam took 4-44 runs.
Imaranuzzaman and Shadman Islam laid a solid foundation in the run chase for Agrani Bank with their opening partnership of 58 runs.
Imrul then took the baton as the left-hander added 46 and 125 runs with Shadman and Amite Hasan, respectively.
The veteran fell just six runs short of his hundred, but before that, he made sure that Agrani Bank pulled off a great heist.
Shamim Hossain and Khaled Ahmed pulled off a thrilling three-wicket win for Prime Bank Cricket Club over the Rupganj Tigers Cricket Club at the BKSP-4 in the day鈥檚 other match.
Chasing 216, Prime Bank at one stage were 113-7 in 16.5 overs with Shahadat Hossain making a quickfire 54 off 39 balls.
Shamim and Khaled then turned the table by amassing an unbroken 107-run partnership of 95 balls for the eighth wicket. Shamim remained unbeaten on 98 off 83 while Khaled made 28 off 37 as Prime Bank won the game with 104 balls remaining.
Earlier, Rupganj made 216 in 48.4 overs, with Abdul Majid (53) and Tanbir Hayder (47). Arafat Sunny and Nahidul Islam took three wickets each for Prime Bank.