Dhaka – An eight-wicket haul by Yeasin Arafat forced league leader Dhaka Abahani Limited to suffer the 2nd consecutive defeat in the Walton Dhaka Premier Division Cricket League with eight-wicket losses against mediocre Gazi Group Cricketers at Khan Shaheb Osman Ali Stadium in Fatullah on Wednesday.Despite the day’s embrassing defeat, Abahani Limited maintained their top slot intact securing 14 points from 10 matches with seven wins and three defeats while Gazi Group Cricketers advanced to the 6th place collecting 10 points from 10 outings with five wins and five losses. Sent into bat first, popular Dhanmondi outfit Abahani Ltd faced an initial batting collapse losing top five wickets for only 12 runs in 4.4 overs, but a 53-run 6th wicket partnership by Manan Sharma and Mohammad Mithun guided the team to score a face-saving 113 runs for all in 26.1 overs.Number seven Manan Sharma contributed the team highest 46 runs off 58 balls featuring seven boundaries, number five batsman Mohammad Mithun scored 42-ball 40 runs hitting seven fours and a six and opener Anamul Haque made run-a-ball 10 including two boundaries, were main scorers for Abahani Ltd reaching the double figure.A 19-year old right arm medium pacer from Noakhali District made the major damage in Abahani innings grabbing eight wickets for 40 runs in his 8.1 overs spell with a maiden and was adjudged the man of the match.Tipu Sultan claimed remaining two wickets conceding 23 runs.Chasing a poor target, Gazi Group Cricketers faced no trouble to score the match-winner 114 runs for the loss of two wickets in just 29.5 overs. Opener Jahurul Islam scored the match highest 52 runs off 78 deliveries with help of six fours and one six, two down Fawad Alam contributed an unbeaten 39 runs off 73 balls featuring three fours and a six while another opener Mehedi Hasan made 19-ball 10 runs including one boundary.Bangladesh ODI captain Mashrafe Bin Mortaza and Sandip Roy shared one wicket each giving away 18 and 19 runs respectively.UNB
