Afif leads Abahani to eighth straight victory in DPL

BSS, Dhaka :
Afif Hossain struck a brilliant 62 ball-80 not out as Abahani Limited overcame a big hurdle, securing a five-wicket win over Legends of Rupganj in Dhaka Premier League (DPL) Cricket at Khan Shaheb Osman Ali Stadium in Fatullah on Friday.
Opting to bat first, Mashrafe Bin Mortaza-led Rupganj put up a respectable 286-9 with Indian recruit Chirag Jani hitting the highest, 54. Sabbir Rahman and Sohag Gazi made identical 48 while captain Mashrafe Bin Mortaza hammered three sixes for his 15 ball-28.
Danish Aziz took 4-43 for Abahani to be the best bowler of the day.
Abahani got a good start through informing Anamul Haque Bijoy and Naim Sheikh, who added 60 runs for the opening stand. Bijoy had a rare off day as he scored just 28 but Naim Sheikh went on to score 76.
Afif then gave the finishing touch with 80 not out and studded with six fours and four sixes. Thanks to his knock, Abahani raced to the victory with four balls to spare, making 289-5.
It was, however, Legends of Rupganj’ s only second defeat in eight matches and put them in third position so far. Abahani was usually on top with a full 16 points.
Sheikh Jamal retained second position with 14 points after securing a hard-fought two-wicket win over Rupganj Tigers at BKSP Ground-3 in Savar.
Being sent to bat first, Rupganj were bowled out for 199 in 46.3 overs with Salman Hossian making his highest 45 and Sunzamul Islam scoring 44. Parvez Rasool claimed 4-35 to rip through Rupganj batting line up.
Jamal, however, reached the winning target in 36.3 overs but lost eight wickets. Captain Nurul Hasan Sohan made a team-high 49 to contribute in winning the game from the knife-edge of a defeat. Towhid Hridoy was the other notable scorer with 43.
Nasum Ahmed and Alauddin Babu grabbed two wickets apiece for Ruppganj who are in fifth position with seven points.
Prime Bank Cricket Club is in fourth position with 12 points after beating Dhaka Leopards by six wickets at BKSP Ground-4 in Savar.
Put into bat first, the Leopards were bundled out for just 148 in 42.1 overs with Soharawardi Shuvo, who had to retire hurt, scoring the highest 53. Allis Al Islam took 3-20 for Prime Bank, which cantered to victory in 31.5 overs, making 151-4. Shahadat Dipu, who opened the innings, was the top-scorer with 43 and Mithun Ali was not out on 38.