A brilliant century by Mosaddek Hossain enabled holders Dhaka Abahani Ltd to get off to a good start in the Dhaka Metropolis Premier Division Cricket League beating Khelaghar Samaj Kalyan Samity by five wickets in one of the three opening day matches at Khan Shaheb Osman Ali Stadium in Fatullah on Wednesday.
In the day’s other two matches, Legends of Rupganj beat Brothers Union by four wickets at BKSP ground-4 while last year’s runners-up Prime Doleshwar SC earned a comfortable 78-run victory over Partex SC at BKSP ground-3.
In Fatullah, Khaleghar SKS batted first after winning the toss and scored a challenging total of 293 for 6 in quota 50 overs.
Former national player Nafees Iqbal, elder brother of national opener Tamim Iqbal, contributed a polished 78 runs off 68 deliveries with the help of five fours and four sixes.
Opener Rabiul Islam (74), Amit Majumder (41) and Masum Khan (not out 31) were the other notable scorers for Khelaghar SKS.
Mohammad Saifuddin grabbed three wickets for 45 runs while Kazi Anik took two for 69 runs.
Chasing a challenging target, Abahani Limited reached their target scoring 297 runs for the loss of five wickets in 47.3 overs with national coloured batsman Mosaddek Hossain hammering an entertaining 110 runs off 85 balls hitting 12 fours and two sixes.
After the departure of three top order batsmen — Sadman Islam (24), Saif Hasan (0) and Nazmul Hossain (45) — for 85 in 18.3 overs, number five batsman Mosaddek Hossain pairing with skipper Mahmudullah contributed 127 runs in the 4th wicket stand.
Mahmudullah made 67-ball 59 runs with three fours and two sixes while Mohammad Mithun scored unbeaten 42 runs off 27 balls featuring four fours and one six.
Sadekur Rahman Tazin claimed two wickets for 36 runs.
At BKSP ground-4, Brothers Union Club opened the innings first after winning the toss and scored 206 for 9 in stipulated 50 overs against Legends of Rupganj.
Mysukur Rahman (65), Dhiman Ghosh (not out 30) and Kazi Kamrul (29) were the main scorers for Brothers Union.
Mohammad Sharif picked up three wickets for 25 runs while national ODI captain Mashrafe Bin Mortaza and Asif Hossain took two wickets each conceding 28 and 31 runs respectively.
In reply, Legends of Rupganj, riding on unconquered 75 runs by team skipper and Bangladesh Test captain Mushfiqur Rahim, scored the match-winning 207 runs for 6 in 46.1 overs.
Hasanuzzaman (31), Naim Islam (25), Mosharraf Hossain (not out 19) and Mashrafe Mortaza (17) were the other notable scorers for the Legends on Rupganj.
Avishek Nayar and Nehaduzzaman captured two wickets each giving away 22 and 34 runs respectively.
At BKSP ground-3, league runners-up Prime Doleshwar beat Partex SC by 78 runs.
Batting first, Prime Doleshwar piled up a comfortable 287 for 9 in allocated 50 overs with opener Abdul Majid contributing 77 runs off 83 balls featuring six fours and two sixes.
Besides, Marshall Ayub (63), Imtiaz Hossain (38) and Punit Singh (29) were the main scorers for Prime Doleshwar.
Golam Kabir grabbed three wickets for 41 runs while Shahanur Rahman and Hafiz Al Hasan took two wickets each for 47 and 52 runs respectively.
In reply, Partex SC were forced to fold their innings at 209 for 9 in quota 50 overs against devastating bowling by Afarat Sunny, who bagged five wickets for 33 runs in his 10 overs spell.
Yash Paul Singh (74), Sajjadul Haque (43) and Rajibul Islam (not out 26) were notable scorers for Partex SC.
Three more matches will be held on Thursday.
Victoria SC will meet Sheikh Jamal Dhanmondi Club at Khan Shaheb Osman Ali Stadium in Fatullah while Dhaka Mohammedan SC battle against Gazi Group Cricketers at BKSP ground-3 and Prime Bank SC face Kalabagan KC at BKSP ground-4 in the remaining first round encounters.
