Hanuma Vihari scored a magnificent ton as Abahani Limited got off to a winning start in the opening super league match of Dhaka Premier Division Cricket League with a 73-run victory over Gazi Group Cricketers on Saturday.
Put to bat first by Gazi Group, Abahani Limited, rode on Vihari’s ton, scored a competitive total of 278 for 6 from their stipulated 50 overs at Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium at Mirpur in the city.
The right handed Indian recruit batsman Vihari well composed 109-run off 124-ball, an innings that contained 10 boundaries and one over boundary and during the process he shared 136-run fifth-wicket stand with Mohammad Mithun who blasted 61-ball off 71-run that studded with six boundaries and one over boundary.
Later Mosaddek Hossain (23) n.o) and Mashrafe Bin Mortaza took the team’s total to over 270 runs land mark. Abu Haider and Mehedi Hasan were the most successful bowlers for Gazi as they captured three Abahani’s wickets giving away 45 and 49 runs respectively.
In reply, the defending champions Gazi Group found the chase stiff and eventually dismissed at 205 in 43 overs.
Anustup Majumdar top scored for Gazi with 64 runs in the middle followed by Mominul Haque 46 as the Gazi’s batsmen failed to build any effective partnership in the face of tight bowling display to chase the total.
Jaker Ali (29 n.o) and Asif Ahmed (20) and Nadif Chowdhury (18) were the other notable scorers for Gazi. Sunzamul Islam, the wrecker in-chief, caused the major damage as he grabbed four Gazi’s wickets giving away 50 runs.
He was well supported by Mehidy Hasan Miraz, Mashrafe Mortaza and Taskin Ahmed, who all shared two wickets each for 28, 30 and 49 runs.
Hanuma Vihari of Abahani Ltd was name the player of the match for his impressive batting performance.
