Prime Doleshwar surged to the top of the Dhaka Premier Division table with an exciting three-run win over Gazi Tank. They picked up their fourth win in the competition after their bowlers took full advantage of a rain-break that lasted for 100 minutes during Gazi Tank's chase.
Chasing Prime Doleshwar's target of 212 in 50 overs, Gazi Tank batsmen Scott Styris and Mahmudullah had steadied the innings after the batting side lost three quick wickets. The pair added 53 runs for the third wicket, before a downpour stopped play at the end of the 31st over. Seven balls after play resumed, Gazi Tank were set a revised target of 146 in 36 overs according to the Duckworth-Lewis method. Styris was out for 40 and Mahmudullah followed in the next over, suddenly putting the bowling side on top.
Offspinner Sohag Gazi then picked up Raqibul Hasan and Hamidul Islam in the 35th over, leaving Gazi Tank with 12 to win off the final over. Doleshwar captain Farhad Reza gave away eight runs, but also took two wickets to hold Gazi Tank at bay in front of a small crowd in Mirpur.
Doleshwar had earlier fought their way to 211-9 with half-centuries from Roshen Silva and Mehedi Hasan. Rubel Hossain took 4 for 53 for Gazi Tank.
Nasir Hossain helped defending champions Victoria Sporting Club beat Cricket Coaching School by three wickets at the Fatullah Cricket Stadium. It was their third win, while CCS are still looking for their first one.
Chasing 218 to win, Victoria had lost four wickets before 20 overs but Nasir, leading the side, remained steady, adding 48 runs with Milinda Siriwardana and putting on a stand of 75 runs for the sixth wicket with Jubair Ahmed. Nasir got out in the 40th over after making 77 off 78 balls with seven fours and a six. Jubair stayed on to finish the win in the 49th over, hitting an unbeaten 40.
Earlier, CCS, who were led by again by Salman Hossain, made 217 for 8. Salman made 52 off 107, while CCS' latest recruit, Sri Lanka batsman Farveez Maharoof scored 42 off 39 balls.
Prime Bank Cricket Club were made to work hard for their two-wicket win over Mohammedan Sporting Club at the BKSP-3 ground. Set a target of 174 runs, Prime Bank needed almost 48 overs to secure their third win of the competition.
Batting first, Mohammedan were bowled out for 173 runs in 50 overs. Ziaur Rahman took three wickets while Tapash Baisya and Enamul Haque jnr. took two each. Mohammedan's only resistance came from a ninth-wicket stand that got them past the 150-run mark. No 9 batsman Mukhtar Ali top-scored with 30.
Prime Bank made a poor start and were 76 for 5 in the 19th over, before Taibur Rahman and Rezaul Karim staged a recovery with a 71-run sixth wicket stand. Karim top-scored with 41 off 86, with three fours.
Mohammedan's left-arm spinner Saqlain Sajib took three wickets, and Mukhtar and Ajantha Mendis took two each but the side gave away the advantage they had gained from an earlier win over rivals Abahani. Mohammedan lost their last game, to Sheikh Jamal Dhanmondi Club, by 239 runs.
