Mushfiqur Rahim's ton takes Abahani Limited to comfortable win

Mushfiqur Rahim gave defending champions Abahani Limited a perfect start in the Dhaka Premier League, after his century helped them to a comfortable 81-run win over Partex Sporting Club at the Shere Bangla National Stadium.

Batting first, Abahani had lost both openers Liton Das and Mohammad Naim for ducks. From there, they further slipped to 67 for 5 in the 22nd over, before Rahim helped rebuild the innings completely. He added 160 runs for the sixth wicket with Mosaddek Hossain, who made 61 off 74 balls with four boundaries and two sixes.

Mushfiqur finished on 127 off 124 balls, hitting eleven fours and four sixes. Mohammad Saifuddin smashed five sixes in his unbeaten 15-ball 39 to take Abahani to a strong total.

Partex were then bowled out for 208 in 48.4 overs with left-arm quick Mehedi Hasan Rana taking four wickets.

Old DOHS Sports Club beat the big-moneyed Legends of Rupganj by 25 runs in BKSP.

Rupganj, who had seven Bangladesh international in their line-up, were bowled out for 205 with three wickets each for Abdur Rashid and Avishek Das, who played in the Under-19 World Cup final. Das' Under-19 teammate Rakibul Hasan also took two wickets.

Earlier, Old DOHS reached 230 in 49 overs with Anisul Islam hitting 59 and Rakin Ahmed 48. Offspinner Sohag Gazi took three wickets.

Prime Doleshwar Sporting Club edged out Brothers Union by eight runs in a close finish in Fatullah. Batting first, Doleshwar reached 238 for 7 in 50 overs, thanks to Taibur Rahman's second List-A century.

He made 110 off 94 balls, hitting five sixes and seven fours. In reply, Brothers were bowled out for 230 in 49.4 overs, with Junaid Siddique making a fighting 97 off 125 balls. Medium-pacer Rejaur Rahman finished with four wickets for Doleshwar.