Mashrafe Mortaza turned in an all-round performance as Abahani Limited completed their second win in as many Dhaka Premier League matches, beating Kalabagan Krira Chakra by 36 runs at the BKSP-3 Ground.
Batting first, Abahani were bowled out for 217 in 49.5 overs but only after a late recovery. Batting at No. 8, Mashrafe slammed five sixes and three fours in his 54-ball 67. After walking out at 105 for 6 in the 30th over, he added 98 runs for the seventh wicket with No. 6 Mosaddek Hossain, who scored 40 off 73 balls.
Seamer Muktar Ali took three wickets while Shahadat Hossain, Abul Hasan and Jatin Saxena took two each. In reply, Kalabagan were bowled out for 181 runs in 48.1 overs. Mashrafe took 4 for 49 while Taskin Ahmed picked up three wickets for 30 runs. Muktar top-scored with 40 but couldn't take them too close to the target.
At the BKSP-4 Ground, defending champions Gazi Group Cricketers picked up their first win, beating the newly-promoted Shinepukur Cricket Club by 20 runs.
Zakir Ali's 90 was complemented by fifties from Nadif Chowdhury (71) and Rajat Bhatia (58*) which helped Gazi Group each 279 for 6. Mohammad Saifuddin took two wickets but also conceded 68 runs in his 10 overs.
Shinepukur also saw three fifties - from Sabbir Hossain, Towhid Hridoy and Uday Kaul - but the middle order slipped and they were bowled out for 259 in 48.4 overs. Rubel Ahmed and Nayeem Hasan took three wickets each.
Prime Doleshwar Sporting Club also picked up their first win though it was a very tight finish as they beat Khelaghar by one wicket on the last ball of the match in Fatullah.
Batting first, Khelaghar managed 199 for 7 in 50 overs with Nazimuddin's 51 and Ashok Menaria's 45. Farhad Reza finished with a stifling 4 for 37.
Farhad Hossain and Fazle Mahmud get Prime Doleshwar off to a good start but their middle order failed to capitalise too, only to be rescued by No. 11 Manik Khan who saw them home. Seven down, they needed four to win from the last over but lost two more wickets on the second and third balls before Manik hit the winning runs on the last ball.