Bisla stars for Brothers Union in low-scoring thriller

Defending champions Abahani Limited finished the first phase of the Dhaka Premier League with a loss, after Prime Doleshwar Sporting Club trounced them by four wickets at the BKSP-3 ground in Savar.

Batting first, Abahani lost their in-form opener Liton Das in the second over before slipping to 50 for 4 by the 16th over. Allrounder Afif Hossain led the recovery with a swift 94. He also struck an 89-run fifth-wicket stand with Mohammad Mithun and a 46-run stand with Manan Sharma, helping Abahani finish with 246.

Doleshwar cruised to a comfortable win, completing the chase with 2.5 overs to spare. Shahriar Nafees and Marshall Ayub added 89 runs for the third wicket before Jakir Ali took them close to the target. Marshall top scored with 83 while Nafees made 69.

Brothers Union ended their 2016-17 Dhaka Premier League campaign on a winning note after their thrilling one-run win over Victoria Sporting Club at the BKSP-4 ground in Savar.

With nine runs required off the final over, bowled by left-arm spinner Nihaduzzaman, the Victoria batsmen could only manage singles off the first four balls before Abu Sayem fell off the fifth ball. Moinul Islam could only muster two off the final ball.

Uttam Sarkar scored 39 while Moinul top-scored with 41. Manvinder Bisla took three wickets while Iftekhar Sajjad took two wickets.

Batting first, Brothers Union were bowled out for 235 in 49.1 overs. Bisla top-scored with 78 off 87 balls with three fours and three sixes. Victoria captain Monir Hossain Khan took five wickets.

The loss confirmed Victoria, alongside Partex Sporting Club, will have to play in the relegation playoffs. The third team in the playoffs - either Khelaghar Samaj Kallyan Samity or Kalabagan Krira Chakra - will be decided in the final round matches on Sunday.

Legends of Rupganj kept themselves in hunt for a Super League place after their five-wicket win over Partex Sporting Club at the Fatullah Cricket Stadium.

Batting first, Partex posted a competitive 272 for 9 in 50 overs. Jatin Saxena slammed five sixes and 11 fours in his 50-ball 91. Sajjad Hossain also struck 50 off 85 balls. Syed Rasel took four wickets while Mosharraf Hossain picked up three wickets.

In reply, Rupganj lost two early wickets but Raza Ali Dar and Mahmudul Hasan added 182 runs for the third wicket. Raza was bowled for a run-a-ball 99, after having struck ten fours and a six. Mahmudul's 70 came off 93 balls with three fours and a six before he retired hurt. Naeem Islam shepherded Rupganj to the target with four balls to spare.