After six successive victories in the 12-team Dhaka Premier Division Cricket League, leader Abahani Ltd conceded defeat against Prime Bank Cricket Club by nine runs in the 7th round match at Bangladesh Krira Shikkha Protisthan Ground 3 in Savar on Friday.

Prime Bank registered the 3rd win against four losses in the list ‘A’ league and holding the 6th spot in the table moving up two steps with the day’s results. Despite the day’s loss Abahani maintained the top slot with 12 points, reports the UNB.

Mashrafe Bin Mortaza (4/41), Saqlain Sajib (2/47) and Manpreet Gony (2/53) did well with ball to restrict Prime Bank on a moderate score of 246 for all in 49.2 overs, but Abahani’s batters’ fell short of nine runs to reach the target.

Abahani’s batters’ were restricted on 237 for 9 in 50 overs where man of the match Shariful Islam got four for 51 runs in 10 overs.

Bating first after winning the toss, Prime Bank lost their both opening batsmen -- Mehrab Hossain Jr was out with duck and Mehedi Maruf (15) -- as they were caught behind by Anamul Haque off Mashrafe on 2 runs in the innings 5th ball and on 42/2 in 8.2 overs respectively.

Al-Amin (84 off 98b; 7x4; 1x6) came at the crease to pair with Zakir Hasan (62 off 81b; 6x4) in the 3rd wicket and shared 69 off 14.3 overs to carry the team collection to 111/3 in 22.5 overs, before Zakir was caught by Mosaddek Hossain off Saqlain Sajib.

Al-Amin stayed up to 211/6 in 44.3 overs as he was caught behind by Anamul Haque off Manpreet Gony while the other wickets were sent off in a gradual interval. Skipper Monir Hossain and Indian all-rounder Yusuf Pathan added 20 and 14 runs respectively.

Opening the innings, Abahani suffered top-order collapse losing three wickets -- Anamul Haque, Nazmul Hossain Shanto and Mohammad Mithun -- for 17 in 5.4 overs and then skipper Nasir Hossain paired with opening batsman Saif Hassan in the 4th wicket to repair the loss, sharing a partnership of 137 off 30.1 overs.  

Saif played an inning of 75 off 124 balls before being run out on 176/6 in 41.1 overs and Nasir was lbw by Shariful Islam on 144/4 in 35.5 overs, scoring 65 off 88 balls. Both the big hitters hit five boundaries and one six each.

Mohammad Rakib (25), Mashrafe (22) and Mosaddek Hossain (16) were the other double digit scorers for Abahani.

Apart from Shariful Islam four-for, Delwar Hossain (2/43), Nahidul Islam (1/12) and Enamul Haque Jr (1/34) were other wicket takers for Prime Bank.