Biman bamboozle Abahani

Bangladesh Biman made a good recovery and came back to winning streak as they thrashed Abahani Club by 38 runs in a high scoring match of GrameenPhone Premier League today. Biman, defeated by Kalabagan three days ago, turned up auspiciously, where Abahani had to accept their second consecutive defeat in Super Six.

Imran Farhat, the left-handed Pakistani, was the founder of Biman's immense total. Skipper Faruk Ahmed made a wise decision when he didn't hesitate to bat first after winning the toss. The opening pair added 58 on the board and Javed Belim contributed with 22. Faruk and Imran Farhat made a spectacular rapport between them as they summed up 126 runs in the second wicket from 19 overs. Faruk chipped in with 83, so far his best in this league, before Naimur Rahman removed him.

Though Aminul Islam (4), Hasanuzzaman (15) and Khaled Mahmud (15) fell on a shoestring, Farhat ran his ruthless onslaught from the other end. He scored 124 from only 97 balls and struck 6 sixes and 7 slashing fours in this process. A highflying Biman set 304 for 9 at stumps. Abahani's Zimbabwean recruit Heath Streak went on with his second successive bad day at BNS as he could manage a single wicket giving away 37 runs from his 10 overs. In the previous match against Mohammedan he remained wicket less.

However, Streak was unproductive with his bat too. He (5) opened with Moniruzzaman Moni (52) and fell prey to medium pacer Al-Amin on the 3rd over. Mehrab Hossain (27) and Naimur Rahman (69) made two good contributions with the bat. Mehrab was going well before Anisur got him caught at slip by Hasanuzzaman. Naimur Rahman wax eloquent at the other end and scored off some quick runs. He faced 59 deliveries to make the 69 that included not even a boundary!

With Akram Khan (11) and Asadullah Khan's (10) departure Abahani lost their slightest chance. Their tail-enders endeavored to play some ambitious shots, which only cost their wickets eventually; the only exception was stumper Mukhtar Siddique, who made a run-a-ball 40.

Al-Amin, Anisur Rahman and Khaled Mahmud captured 2 wickets each, but Imran Farhat was adjudged for the man-of-the-match rightfully.