Raza, Liton Das and Unmukt shine on day of batsmen

In his first game after the gates closed on Zimbabwe's entry into the World Cup following a heartbreaking loss to UAE, Sikandar Raza's breezy 90 helped Gazi Group Cricketers to a 34-run win over Kheleghar Samaj Kallyan Samity in the Dhaka Premier League's Super League.

Raza struck seven fours and four sixes in his 84-ball innings that powered Gazi Group to 304 for 6 in 50 overs. Raza built on a solid platform of 108 for 2 in the 21st over, laid by Imrul Kayes (63) and Mominul Haque (47). He put on 55 with Asif Ahmed for the fourth wicket and then added another 71 runs with Nadif Chowdhury, before falling in the 47th over. Nadif struck three sixes and a four in his 35-ball 45.

In reply, Khelaghar openers Robiul Islam and Mahidul Islam put together 108 runs for the opening stand. Both batsmen were dismissed in the 60s, but the middle-order couldn't build on the good work. That meant Mausam Khan's 44 off 41 balls at No. 7 went in vain as Khelaghar still fell well short. Abu Hider took three wickets, while Mahedi Hasan got two.

Unmukt Chand's second successive hundred helped Sheikh Jamal Dhanmondi Club beat table-toppers Abahani Limited by 26 runs at the Fatullah Cricket Stadium.

Batting first, Dhanmondi Club reached 256 for 8 in 50 overs, with Chand top-scoring with 101 off 138 balls that included eight fours and three sixes. He shared a 90-run opening stand with Shykat Ali, and an 81-run third wicket stand with Tanbir Hayder, before Dhanmondi went on to lose six wickets for 81 runs.

Mashrafe Mortaza, who had just taken three wickets, then went out to open the batting for the first time in his List-A career. But he had a short stay, as did many of the other top and middle-order batsmen. The lower order fared much better with solid contributions but Abahani were limited to 230 nonetheless. Abu Jayed and Robiul Haque took three wickets each.

Mohammad Naim's stroke-filled 88 took Legends of Rupganj to a five-wicket win over Prime Doleshwar Sporting Club at the Shere Bangla National Stadium.

Batting first, Doleshwar reached 257 for 5 in 50 overs on the back of Liton Das' third century in the tournament. He struck nine fours and two sixes in his 126-ball knock. After putting on 69 runs for the first wicket with Imtiaz Hossain, Liton put together a 113-run second wicket stand with Fazle Mahmud (46). Prime Doleshwar lost four wickets in the last 10 overs, but quick bursts from Iqbal Abdulla (42* off 22) and Farhad Reza (29 off 22) ensured it didn't hurt the finish.

Chasing 258 to win, Naim and Abdul Mazid started very well with a 140-run opening stand. Naim struck six fours and five sixes in his 101-ball knock. Mazid was a lot more sedate, collecting 58 off 90 balls. After their dismissals, Mushfiqur Rahim (41) and Naeem Islam (31) took Rupganj closer before they won with eight balls to spare.