Muktar, Rubel, Al-Amin clinch three last-over thrillers

Muktar Ali's stunning last-ball six over long-on sealed Sheikh Jamal Dhanmondi Club's four-wicket win over Abahani Limited in Mirpur. This was after Mahbubul Karim's 130, which earned him the Man-of-the-Match award, had set up their 288-run chase.

Defending seven runs from the final over, Taskin Ahmed ran out Angelo Perera off the first ball before getting Nazmus Sadat with a yorker off the next ball. Taskin gave away two singles in the next three balls, which included a full toss that appeared to be quite high but wasn't called a no-ball. With five to defend off the final ball, Taskin missed his spot and Muktar strode forward and smashed him high over long-on.

Mahbubul, who struck 15 fours and five sixes in his 110-ball knock, shared a 67-run opening stand with Joyraz Sheik before adding 125 runs with Marshall Ayub, who chipped in with 47. For Abahani Limited, Saqlain Sajib and Nazmul Hossain Shanto took two wickets

Earlier, Tamim Iqbal's 90 and half-centuries from Uday Kaul and Shanto took Abahani to 287 for 4. Tamim struck 11 fours in his 91-ball knock that ended when he holed-out to Mahmudullah. Mosaddek Hossain struck an unbeaten 29-ball 46 that had three fours and two sixes, one of which was a reverse hit over third-man.

Defending champions Prime Bank Cricket Club nearly lost to another newly promoted side but prevailed through a fine last over by Rubel Hossain, as they beat Cricket Coaching School by five runs in BKSP, Savar.

CCS had one of their two centurions, Salman Hossain, at the crease when they needed 15 off the last over. He struck Rubel for a six off the first ball but was caught behind off the fourth, ending CCS' hopes. His 110 came off 137 balls with the help of eight fours and three sixes, after Saif Hassan had struck 100 off 129 balls with seven fours and three sixes.

Salman and Saif added 195 runs for the third wicket, keeping Prime Bank out of the contest for a long time. When Saif got out in the 45th over, 50 was needed off 35 balls. Rubel ended with three wickets while Shuvagata Hom and left-arm spinner Monir Hossain took two each.

Prime Bank had slipped to 95 for 5 in the 22nd over before Taibur Rahman and Yasir Ali added 106 runs for the sixth wicket. Both batsmen struck fifties. Left-arm spinner Nasum Ahmed took three wickets.

There was more drama at the Fatullah where Kalabagan Krira Chakra had three of their batsmen run-out off the last three balls of their chase against Prime Dholeshwar Sporting Club, who won by four runs.

In another close finish, Kalabagan needed nine runs off the last over. Mehrab Hossain jnr managed just one run off the first three balls bowled by Al-Amin Hossain before he was run out. He was followed by Sharifullah and Mashrafe Mortaza off the last two balls.

Chasing 288, Kalabagan were given a good start by their openers who added 57 runs but they slowly slipped out of the contest, arriving at 154 for 5 in the 33rd over. Mehrab, who made 86, added 104 runs for the sixth wicket with Tanveer Haider who blasted three fours and two sixes in his 32-ball 44. Mehrab struck a six and nine fours in his 87-ball knock. Offspinner Rahatul Ferdous took three wickets.

Earlier, Nasir Hossain made a 75-ball 97 with eleven fours and six while Imtiaz Hossain cracked an 81-ball 73 with a six and eight fours, as Prime Doleshwar reached 287 for 8 in 50 overs. Mashrafe took three wickets while Abdur Razzak and Dewan Sabbir picked up two each.