Bangladesh: Biman thrive on Manzoor's ton (29 January 1999)

29 January 1999

Bangladesh: Biman thrive on Manzoor's ton

Our Sports Reporter

Manzoor Akhter slammed his third century in the Janakantha Premier League to help Bangladesh Biman to an imposing total against promotees Sadharan Bima at the Bangabandhu National Stadium yesterday.

The Pakistani all-rounder smashed a run-a-ball 104 as Biman, electing to bat first after winning the toss in the morning, piled up 366 for seven in their share of 80 overs. This is also the highest total at the big bowl so far this season, which did half the job for the national airline outfit for their seventh win and a solo lead atop the table.

Coming into bat at his customary position of number five, Manzoor took the depleted Bima attack to the sword on his way to back-to-back centuries. The diminutive right-hander who scored a match-winning 111 against Abahani on January 16, took only 102 balls to reach the magical three-figure mark with the help of ten sweetly-timed hits across the rope.

Although Biman had a few anxious moments after starting solidly --- they lost four of their top-order batsmen including national captain Aminul Islam and Faruque Ahmed in quick succession, Manzoor found a wily partner in Hasanuzzaman to rebuild the innings after opener Javed Omar departed for a plucky 67 off 147 balls.

Together with Hasan, the Pakistani put on 163 runs for the fifth wicket after Biman were reduced to 150 for four in 45.1 overs. Manzoor was eventually out in the 73rd over, but not before yet another bumper harvest at his favourite ground where he scored in first ton ( 124 not out) against Mohammedan.

Hasanuzzaman hammered a polished 54 off 74 balls, which included five fours. But it was Manzoor's compatriot Shahid Iqbal who took Biman past the 350-mark with a quickfire 40 off only 32 balls.

For Bima, captain Abdul Hadi and Ismail Islam took two wickets apiece. But the Biman captain had to pay heavily for seeing off the marauding Pakistani duo. The tweaker gave away 72 runs in his 12 overs.

Meanwhile, in the other match of the day at the BKSP in Savar, a relegation-threatened Ajax Sporting Club scored a fighting 250 for nine against Wari Club, thanks to a brilliant 96 from Sanchay.

The middle-order batsman missed his first ton in the League when he was trapped in front of the wicket by Wari's Pakistani left-arm spinner Tariq Mehmud in the nervous nineties. But Sanchay played a lone hand to guide his side to safety after a terrible start with Ajax reeling at 59 for four.

In a spectacular rebuilding operation, Sanchay shared 117 runs for the fifth wicket Total, who scored a defiant 38 off 104 balls. Sanchay clubbed nine fours in his 160-ball vigil at the crease.

Among the Wari bowlers, Tomal returned with the most impressive figures of two for 19 in seven overs. While Tariq, a mean customer with the ball and a prolific run-getter with the bat, finished with two for 35 runs in his allotted 16 overs.

Source :: The Bangladesh Daily Star (https://www.dailystarnews.com)