Gazi Group Cricketers players celebrate one of their wickets against Abahani during a surprise six-wicket win in the Dhaka Premier League yesterday. 
Shykat Ali …..108
Abahani’s six-wicket defeat to Gazi Group Cricketers in the Super League stage meant Sheikh Jamal stayed in the hunt for the Dhaka Premier League with a 59-run win over Legends of Rupganj in rain-affected encounters yesterday.
Interestingly, with both teams ahead of the pack with 26 points each from 15 games, the last Super League fixture between Abahani and holders Sheikh Jamal scheduled on May 13 takes on the significance of a title-deciding encounter.
At the Khan Shaheb Osman Ali Stadium in Fatullah, Sheikh Jamal rode on Shykat Ali’s century to post a huge total of 350 for five after being asked to bat. Skipper Nurul Hasan (62), Ziaur Rahman (64 not out) and Parvez Rasool (51 not out) scored fifties.
Shykat lay the platform for Sheikh Jamal with a blistering start as the right-hander smashed his third List A hundred before eventually being dismissed after an 81-ball 108 featuring 10 fours and five sixes.
Following a rain break, Rupganj were set a revised target of 315 in 46.1 overs. But despite Irfan Shukkur’s unbeaten hundred, they could only reach 255 for seven. Parvez picked up three wickets for Sheikh Jamal while Arif Ahmed scalped two.
At the BKSP-3 ground in Savar, Abahani, eyeing one big step towards the title, stumbled after electing to bat against Gazi.
They were bundled out for 246 in 47.2 overs as opener Mohammad Naim top-scored with 61 runs. None of the other batters were able to go past the 50-run mark. Left-arm spinner Tipu Sultan bagged four wickets for the bowling side.
After a rain delay, Gazi were set a revised target of 214 in 45 overs, eventually crossing the line in 41.5 overs courtesy of Asadulla Al Galib’s unbeaten 85 off 95 balls.
In the other match of the day, Prime Bank Cricket Club clinched a six-wicket win over Mohammedan, who were bundled out for just 109 runs in Mirpur.
