Anamul Haque Bijoy’s composed half-century and a blistering late cameo from Yasir Ali Chowdhury Rabbi powered Mohammedan Sporting Club to a convincing five-wicket victory over City Club, completing the chase of 195 in 35.2 overs of a 37-over contest.
Batting first, City Club were reduced to 29 for 3 inside the opening exchanges, with Ripon Mondol doing the early damage. In the fourth over, he dismissed both Mehedi Maruf (1) and Mizanur Rahman (0) leg before wicket, before Abdullah Al Mamun departed cheaply for 6 off 10 balls.
The innings was steadied by a 75-run partnership between Sadikur Rahman and Ahrar Amin Piyan. Piyan contributed 31 from 41 balls before being run out by Rabbi, with his partner following just one delivery later. Sadikur, who had opened the innings, fell for 56 off 63 balls, caught at long-off by Rishad Hossain off Naeem Hasan’s bowling.
Naeem struck twice more in the same over, removing Tahjibul Islam for a duck, caught at second slip by Rabbi and Abdul Gaffar Saqlain for 2 off 3 balls, caught at mid-on. Rishad Hossain then wrapped up the tail, dismissing Sajjadul Haque Ripon (29 off 31), caught at long-on, and Nihaduzzaman (7 off 11) leg before wicket.
Mohammedan’s reply began shakily, losing two wickets for 35 runs. Naeem Islam fell for 5 off 5 balls, caught at midwicket off Enam’s bowling, while another batsman departed without troubling the scorers, caught at deep midwicket off Nihaduzzaman.
Bijoy and Afif Hossain then stabilised the innings with a 63-run stand. When Afif was caught at cover for 27 off 52 balls, bowled out by Enamul Haque Ashiq. Bijoy continued to anchor the chase, ultimately falling for 80 off 88 balls with the score on 128.
From there, Towhid Hridoy’s 34 off 35 balls and Rabbi’s unbeaten 36 off 23 balls carried Mohammedan over the line with ease.
In the day’s other fixture, Gazi Group Cricketers edged past Brothers Union by a single wicket in a 36-over match.
Brothers Union were bowled out for just 82 in 29.4 overs. Shahriar Komol top-scored with 26, while Faisal Ahmed Raihan chipped in with 21. Mohammad Rubel and Leon Islam each claimed three wickets, with Aridul Islam Akash adding one.
In reply, Munim Shahriar contributed 11 off 16 balls, but it was Naeem Ahmed, unbeaten on 48 off 49 balls, and Rubel Mia, unbeaten on 18 off 22 balls, who saw Gazi Group home in just 14.3 overs.
