Bangladesh: Chopra carves Bima's win (11 February 1999)

11 February 1999

Bangladesh: Chopra carves Bima's win

Our Sports Reporter

Indian middle order Kamol Chopra scored a back-to-back century to inspire babes Sadharan Bima Krira Sangstha to a stunning two-wicket win over giants Kalabagan Krira Chakra in their final Janakantha Premier Division cricket league match played at the Dhanmondi Cricket Stadium yesterday.

The Delhi-based right hander, who scored a match-winning 107 against Mohammedan Sporting Club at the Bangabandhu National Stadium last week, smashed a scintillating 151, as Bima, chasing Kalabagan's commanding total of 283 in 80 overs, reached 287 in the 77th over with two wickets to spare.

Chopra, came to bat with Bima tottering on 27 for four in the 18th over and without their suspended Indian all-rounder Rajinder Singh Chawla, then repaired the damage by sharing a 43-run partnership with Saiful (9) for the fifth wicket before Saiful was sent back on 70 in the 28th over.

Another Bima wicket fell on the same score in the next over when Tashriqul was trapped leg before by occasional bowler Sajjad Ahmed.

Then came the match-winning 181-run stand between Chopra and number eight Shafiqul Islam that took the insurance team to 251 in 68 overs.

The pair were finally separated once Shafiqul offered a return catch to Kalabagan skipper Saiful Islam. Shafiqul contributed a 128-ball 64 which included only five boundaries.

Chopra added a further 32 runs with Tariqul (11 not out). He was out with Bima two runs short of victory caught by Mahbub off a Sajjad delivery.

The marathon four-hour vigil by Chopra lasted 163 balls and featured a dozen or so boundaries.

Bima completed their league engagements with four wins against seven defeats. Kalabagan, on the otherhand,suffered their sixth defeat from the same number of outings.

Away at the BKSP, Orient Sporting Club handed Ajax Sporting Club a crushing 148-run defeat.

Chasing a mammoth Orient total of 370 which included a double hundred from Pakistani opener Rizwan Omar, Ajax lost their eighth wicket at 222 in 50 overs. Ajax remaining batsmen Suman Biswas and Ibrahim did not turn up.

It was the second win for Orient which enabled them to finish the league in ninth spot ahead of Ajax who have won only once. Both teams have already been relegated to the First Division.

The last match of the league between Abahani and Brothers Union Club starts tomorrow at the Bangabandhu National Stadium.

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