Skipper Najmul Hossain Shanto smashed a fluent century as Abahani Limited secured second straight victory in theShanto (DPL) Super League phase, crushing Gazi Group Cricketers by 171 runs at Khan Shaheb Osman Ali Stadium in Fatullah on Thursday.
Having won the game, Abahani kept its unbeaten runs in the DPL, taking them further closer to the coveted title. The defending champions earlier won all 11 matches in the group phase, meaning they extended their unbeaten run to 13.
Opting to bat first, Abahani put on a massive 343-5 with Shanto dominating the bowlers in style for his 84 ball-101, a knock laced with eight fours and six sixes.
Abahani bowlers then tormented the Gazi Group batters to wrap up their innings for just 172 in 35.1 overs.
While Shanto led the side from the front, Abahani openers Naim Sheikh and Liton Das yet again gave the side a solid platform even though both of them failed to convert their start, being dismissed for identical 33.
Anamul Haque Bijoy who batted at No.4 position gave Shanto an ably support with 68 off 51, having clattered four fours and five sixes. After sharing 130 runs for the third wicket, Bijoy was dismissed but Shanto picked up his second ton in the season.
However he failed to make it a big century by being removed just after reaching the magical three-figure mark.
As has been the case, Towhid Hridoy came up with fire to finish the things off with his brutal, yet an eye-catching 58 not out of 40 which studded by three fours and four sixes. Mosaddek Hossain Saikat played a perfect foil to him with an unbeaten 17 ball-33.
With Zimbabwe series and T20 World Cup approaching fast, Abahani rested their first choice pacers Taskin Ahmed, Mohammad Saifuddin and Shoriful Islam but their absence mattered little.
Left-arm spinner Rakibul Islam took the onus to lead the bowling, scalping 4-44 and got the adequate support from Saikat and Tanzim Hasan Sakib, who both snared two wickets.
As Abahani made inroads at regular interval, thanks to the trio, Sabbir Hossen was the only one to make some impact. He scored 62 while Habibur Rahman Sohan made 38.
