Bangladesh: Rajinder ton delays Biman (30 January 1999)

30 January 1999

Bangladesh: Rajinder ton delays Biman

Our Sports Reporter

Rajinder Singh Chawla scored his third century of the Premier Division League but once again failed to guide his Sadharan Bima Krira Sangstha to a win as title aspirants Biman handed them a predictable 72-run defeat at the Bangabandhu National Stadium yesterday.

Despite the brilliant 110 from the Delhi based all-rounder, a regular customer in the Dhaka cricket, babes Sadharan Biman, chasing a mammoth Biman total of 366 in 80 overs, were all out for 294 in the 74th over.

The outcome of the match left Biman atop the elite league table having raised their tally to 14 points with seven wins against two defeats, two points ahead of holders Abahani, last year's runners up Brothers Union and Mohammedan Sporting, all of whom have 12 points each playing one match less than Biman. On the other hand, it was Bima's seventh defeat against two victories.

Back to the match, it was the veteran Indian right-hander, who saved the insurancemen from a humiliating defeat. Coming to bat at number five with Bima tottering at 55 for three in 12 overs, Rajinder stood against all the odds and helped his side reach a respectable total. Thanks also to number nine batsman Shafiqul Islam, who gave the much-needed support with a patient 57 off 86 balls. The duo added 102 runs for the eighth wicket and took the score board from 155 to 257 before Rajinder was bowled by Biman's left-arm seamer Jahangir Alam Talukder.

In his 204-minute calm stay at the crease, Rajinder faced 145 balls for his 110 which included eight sweetly timed hits across the rope.

There was unbecoming behaviour by Jahangir Alam Talukder, who verbally abused Rajinder after bowling him. The Biman bowler was then warned by umpire Mahbubullah.

With yesterday's century, Rajinder, the leading run-getter of the league, who also scored tons against Wari (112) and Agrani Bank (111), scored 614 runs in nine matches, averaging 68.22.

In the other match of the day, Wari posted their fourth league victory defeating Ajax Sporting by two wickets at the BKSP ground in Savar.

Two Pakistani recruits, Aamir Wasim and Tareque Mahmood, scored half-centuries as Wari, chasing a respectable Ajax total of 250 in 80 overs, reached 251 in the penultimate over with two wickets to spare.

Aamir, the Lahore-based all-rounder hammered 61 off 89 balls with six boundaries, while his compatriot Tareque chipped in with 55 off 85 balls which also included half a dozen fours and a huge six.

With his first fifty of the league, Tareque, who earlier scored centuries against Kalabagan (105) and Bima (128), has so far scored 439 runs, equal to Biman's Pakistan all-rounder Manzoor Akhter.

Janakantha Premier Division Cricket League

Abahani v Mohammedan SC, Venue: Bangabandhu National Stadium

Agrani Bank v Orient SC, Venue: Dhanmondi Cricket Stadium

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