Legends of Rupganj open with big win
A round-up of the Dhaka Premier Division matches on November 11, 2014
ESPNcricinfo staff
11-Nov-2014
File photo: Jahurul Islam scored 78 and shared a 122-run stand with Ashar Zaidi • AFP
Defending champions Legends of Rupganj made a rousing start to the Dhaka Premier League with a 247-run win over newly-promoted Old DOHS Sports Club at the Shere Bangla National Stadium.
Sent into bat by Old DOHS, Rupganj opener Jahurul Islam saw two wickets fall before Ashar Zaidi joined him in the 14th over. The pair added 122 runs for the third wicket in less than 20 overs, which set the tone for the rest of the innings. Jahurul made 78 but Zaidi went on to score his fourth List-A century, which also turned out to be his highest score, 141 off 103 balls, with 18 fours and five sixes.
Towards the end, Abul Hasan smashed 35 off 17 balls with a four and three sixes to help Rupganj to a massive 357 for 6 in 50 overs, the fifth highest List-A total in Bangladesh. In reply, Old DOHS were bowled out for 110 runs by the 42nd over, with Alok Kapali picking up three wickets. Mohammad Shahid and Sharifullah chipped in with two wickets each.
Partex Sporting Club caused the first upset of the season by beating Sheikh Jamal Dhanmondi Club by 11 runs in Fatullah.
Batting first, Partex banked on Roshan Silva's unbeaten 111 to post a modest 200 for 8 in 50 overs. He added 96 runs for the fifth wicket with Arman Hossain, who made 40. Mehedi Hasan picked up three wickets, while Arafat Sunny and Liam Dawson took two wickets each.
Dhanmondi Club lost two early wickets in the chase but recovered through a 75-run third wicket stand between Amit Majumder and Tushar Imran, who made 72. Dawson made 24 and Abu Sayeem chipped in with 34, but once the pair were dismissed, Partex squeezed the stronger opposition and restricted them to 189 runs in 50 overs. Mohammad Azim and Nuruzzaman took three wickets each.
Prime Doleshwar Sporting Club cruised to a 139-run win over Kalabagan Krira Chakra in Savar.
After Doleshwar decided to bat, Mehedi Maruf and Rony Talukder added 67 in 9.2 overs for the first wicket. It set the scene for the rest of the batting line-up to cash in. Maruf got to 55, while Asif Ahmed struck 63 off 68 balls. Elias Sunny blasted a late 36-ball 41 and later picked up three wickets, as Kalabagan faltered in their chase. Shamsur Rahman, freshly dropped from the Bangladesh Test squad, made 52 for Kalabagan, but he was the only batsman who reached a 50-plus score.
