Victoria survive Chigumbura scare

Gazi Tank Cricketers went to the top of the Dhaka Premier Division table with a three-wicket win over Prime Bank Cricket Club in Bogra. Batting first after being put in, Prime Bank were restricted to 191 for 8 in 50 overs.

A 55-run seventh-wicket partnership between Taibur Rahman and Mahmudul Hasan took their score to some respectability after it had fallen to 116 for 6 in the 36th over. Taibur made 63 off 86 balls while Mahmudul was unbeaten on 26.

Jacob Oram took three wickets for 28 from his nine overs while left-arm spinner Arafat Sunny picked up two.

Prime Bank took three wickets in the first 19 overs but a 114-run fourth wicket stand between Raqibul Hasan and Ashar Zaidi, both having scored half-centuries, gave them a dominant position. Gazi Tank wobbled after Ravi Bopara took three quick wickets but they completed the win in 48.2 overs.

In Rajshahi, Victoria Sporting Club staved off a late scare from Elton Chigumbura, beating Sheikh Jamal Dhanmondi Club by six runs.

The Zimbabwe allrounder came into bat with Dhanmondi struggling at 66 for 5 in the 20th over. He added 82 runs for the seventh wicket with Nahidul Islam after which he went at it alone. With seven needed to win off the last over, he was bowled by Robiul Islam for 91 off 94 balls with two sixes and nine fours.

Robiul saved Victoria, taking four wickets including that of Jahurul Islam in the first over of the Dhanmondi innings.

Earlier, Jubair Ahmed made 89 and Lasith Abeyratne scored 59 to give Victoria a decent 251 in 46.2 overs. For Dhanmondi, Gulbadin Naib and Nahidul took two wickets each.