Earlier, Gazi Tank made 144 runs from stipulated 20 overs, losing four wickets.

Chasing a moderate total, Abahani reached the target after losing just five wickets with five balls remaining in hand.

Mohammad Rafique of Abahani hammered an unbeaten half-century from 23 balls.

Gazi Tank eliminated Khelaghar SKS from the tournament in their semifinal match handsomely by eight wickets on Tuesday to book a place in Wednesday’s final while Dhaka Abahani won a really close match against their archrival Dhaka Mohammedan SC by four wickets on the very day to manage the remaining spot.

Brothers Union, who are level with Abahani on five points, won the group by virtue of a better neat run rate. While Brothers have +2.65 run rate, Abahani completed their group matches with a run rate of +0.58.
The opponents of Brothers will be decided on Friday when Dada Warriors will take on Pirates of Chittagong in the final group match. Pirates, who have yet to win any match and were on the verge of elimination, have now got an outside chance to progress.

If they can beat Dada, three teams will have equal two points and in that case group runners-up would be decided by run rate.

Things would have been different if Ispahani had won against Dhaka Sports. But Pakistani Wasim Naeem did not allow them to do so as he produced yet another all-round performance to fashion a win for Dhaka Sports.
Wasim smashed 42 off 43 balls and a quickfire 36 off 21 balls by Ziaur Raman steered Dhaka Sports to 137-8. In reply, Ispahani were restricted to 130-8 with Wasim and pacer Shahadat Hossain both taking two wickets.
In the other match of the day, Tamim Iqbal failed to repeat his performance in the past two matches, but Abahani still managed a competitive total of 153-8 thanks to Chamara Silva’s 63 off 50 balls.
A 29-ball 36 from Ishtiak Ahmed and 41 off 38 balls by Pakistani Qaiser Abbas gave Abahani a fright for a while before pacer Talha Jubaer scalped three wickets to restrict Mohammedan to 130-9. Syed Rasel was also impressive with the ball for Abahani taking two wickets for 19.

Batting first, Abahani reached 153 for eight in 20 overs before restricting Mohammedan for 132 for nine. The most expensive player of the tournament and local hero Tamim Iqbal went back to the pavilion after making just 10 runs but Abahani’s Sri Lankan recruit Chamara Silva led the team to seal the win with his 63 runs off 50 balls featuring six boundaries and a six.

Two-down batsman Silva stayed at the crease till the last over to push the score past the 150-mark. In the process of going for their runs, Abahani lost five wickets in the last seven balls.

National discard Hannan Sarker also hit a rapid 26-ball 36 that had a couple of sixes and three boundaries.

Chasing 154 runs for a face-saving victory, Mohammedans lost the first three wickets for just 18 runs in 4.4 overs.

That slimmed the hopes of Mohammedan but they recovered to 84 for four in 12.3 overs with a solid Qaisar Abbas hitting 41 off 38 balls that had four boundaries and a six.

Both Qaiser and Ishtiaq added 56 for the fourth wicket with the latter hitting 36 off 29 balls.

Nayyer Abbas also contributed 22 runs but finally his team could reach only 130 runs.

But it was Abahani’s Sri Lankan recruit Frank Karunaratne who stole the limelight with two catches, one of which was simply amazing. Karunaratne ran from long-off and dove brilliantly near the boundary to get rid of Sanjamul Islam in the final over.

BRIEF SCORES
ABAHANI: 153 for 8 in 20 overs (Silva 63, Hannan 36, Karunaratne 19, Tamim 10; Lal 2-18, Tareq 2-18, Nayyer 1-24).
MOHAMMEDAN: 132 for 9 in 20 overs (Qaiser 41, Ishtiaq 36, Nayyer 22, Rasel 10; Talha 3-21, Karunaratne 3-30, Rasel 2-19, Rabiul 1-22).
Result: Abahani won by 21 runs.
Man-of-the-match: Frank Karunaratne.

In the other match of the day, Mushfiqur Rahim made a mess in the final over forcing Ispahani SC to concede a four-run defeat against Dada Warriors. Needing 128 for win, Ispahani would need to score 10 runs in the final over with Mushfique on strike, but the national wicketkeeper could manage only five against an unheralded Pakistani left-arm spinner Saeed Anwar Jr.

Chittagong Abahani had to win to stay in the semifinal race and things began brightly for them when paceman Syed Rasel struck twice in his first two overs to rattle Top Sports. But Roqibul Hassan led them to recovery taking the Nokahali outfit to 144-6 from 13-2 with his 52 off 48 balls that included four boundaries.

Sri Lankan cricketer Lokuarachchi scored 26 off 21 balls while Mahmudullah Riyad chipped in with 31 off 23 balls.

Tamim and Rabiul Islam had fetched 77 runs for Abahani in the opening stand in 10.3 overs before the national opener was dismissed by Lokuarachchi for 44 off 37 balls with six fours.
The innings was good enough for Tamim, who became the man of the match as Abahani built in on the foundation he gave to race to 146 for five with four balls to spare. Robiul made the other major contribution with 42 off 40.

Abahani, who now have three points from two matches, will face Mohammedan in their final group game and a win will see them through to the semifinal. Top Sports, who won the opening match, also can advance if they can beat Brothers Union in their final group match.

The victory of Dada against Ispahani threw the other game wide open as both of them have now joined Dhaka Sports at the top position with equal two points. Dhaka, who defeated Pirates of Chittagong the other day, however, played one game less than their rivals.

Ispahani were clear favourites to win the second game when Sri Lankan left-arm spinner Jeevan Mendis claimed 5-33 to restrict Dada to 127-9 in 20 overs. Shamsur Rahman, the man-in-form, smacked 40 off 34 balls and shared a 59-run opening stand with Fazle Rabbi (20 off 21 balls) in 7.5 overs.

Then came the heart-breaking final over when Mushfique managed a double in the first ball and had to give up the strike with a single in the next ball to number eight batsman Sajjadul Haque, who took a single to give Mushfique the strike again.

Instead of going for a big hit, Mushfique again took a single leaving the onus on Sajjadul, who was run out in the fifth ball but in the process managed to give Mushfique back the strike to face the last ball.
Mushfique needed to hit a six in the ball to see his team through or a boundary for a tie, but failed to do either. The ball struck in his pad and stopped at the popping crease much to the delight of Dada Sports.

In the other match of the day, Shamsur Rahman celebrated his national call-up with a match-winning half-century that guided Ispahani SC to a 50-run win over Pirates of Chittagong.

Mohammedan, who lost to Top Sports in the opening game, had a great chance when they restricted Brothers to 136 for nine thanks to a three-wicket haul of their skipper Tareq Aziz and two wickets each by Nayeer Abbas and Rasel Al Mamun.

But they spurned the chance having been bundled out for a meagre 90 with two overs still to play, conceding a huge defeat. Opening bowler Dollar Mahmud did the damage with 3-26 while Mohammad Shahzada and Mohammad Yunus shared four wickets.

Left-arm spinner Abdur Razzak claimed one wicket, but conceded only three runs in his three overs.

Earlier, Mehrab Hossain gave Brothers a prolific start when he scored 20 off 13 balls before their middle-order stumbled. Tushar Imran scored highest 29 while Jehan Mubarak made the only other significant contribution with 24 off 23 balls.

In the first match, in-form Shamsur Rahman, who was mysteriously sold for only Tk 15,000 at the auction, showed he deserved much a better treatment, scoring 71 off 49 balls and guiding Ispahani to 175-5, the highest total of the tournament so far.

Shamsur shared a 53-run opening stand with Fazle Rabby (25) before adding 108 for the second wicket with Sri Lankan recruit Jeevan Mendis, who smashed 65 off 48 balls.

Left-arm spinner Sohrawardi Shuvo, the second valuable player of the tournament after Tamim, claimed 3-23 for Pirates and later became top-scorer for his side with 29 off 24 balls.

Pacer Monir Hossain Khan returned with 3-18 to help Ispahani fold Pirates on 125 in 19.4 overs.

Heavy overnight shower reduced the first game to a 10-overs-a-side affair and Rajin Saleh-led Dhaka Sports Club secured full points with a seven-wicket victory, but rain spoiled the second one what could have been an exciting game.

Local hero Tamim Iqbal, the most expensive player of the tournament, was on fire before rain stopped Abahani’s charge. The dashing left-hander remained not out on a 36-ball 41 that contained four boundaries and a six as Abahani scored 77 for 2 in reply to Brothers’ 150-7 in 20 overs.

The match’s fate was then decided by Duckworth-Lewis method which saw the battle tied.

Chasing a challenging target, Abahani looked well on course when Tamim and Hannan Sarker laid the foundation by adding 64 runs for the second wicket after early the departure of Rabiul Islam.

The drama began after Abahani reached 69 for 2 in 10 overs. Sri Lankan Chamara Silva had just joined Tamim a ball earlier. It started to drizzle before the start of 11th over. Brothers Union at that stage (after 10 overs) were 73 for 2, ahead of Abahani.

Tamim was seen a bit tense and urged the umpire to continue the match. Amid light drizzle, Mohammad Shahajada bowled the 11th over and Tamim and Silva took eight runs from it with a ‘priced’ boundary from the local boy that eventually saved Abahani from a sure defeat.

Immediately after the over, heavy rain set in while strong wind ripped the dug-outs, banners, bill boards and tore apart the large canopy over the stands. What added to that was the power cut at the time that ensured no further play.

With Abahani standing on 77 for 2 in 11 overs and Brothers Union on 78 for 2 at the corresponding period, everyone thought that Brothers will have the last laugh as per D/L method.

But match referee Zahid Razzak Masum pronounced that as per D/L method the score of both teams actually stood at 77 runs meaning the match was a tie.

“Abahani could be the winner if they were 78 at the time of stoppage and similarly they would have been the loser if they were just one run short (76 for 2) then,” explained Masum.

But before that Tamim entertained the crowds as the left-hander smashed two consecutive boundaries off Mohammad Younus in the second over and then in the eighth over hit one boundary followed by a huge six off national spinner Abdur Razzak.

Brothers innings built on four fine knocks by opener Mehrab Hossain (33), Sri Lankan batsmen Jeehan Mobarak (20) and Chamara Kapugedara (40 not out) and Tushar Imran (33).

Earlier in the first game, it was a battle between two Pakistanis.

Saeed Anwar Jr hit 35-ball 45 with four boundaries and a six to help Dada Warriors score 65 for 5 in 10 overs but Waseem Nayeem outshined his compatriot as his unbeaten 27-bal 43 guided Dhaka Sports Club to reach 66 for three in 7.2 overs.

SCORES IN BRIEF
DADA SPORTS: 65-5 in 10 overs (Saeed Anwar Jr 45, Zunaed 1, Imran 11, Kasif 5, Faisal 0 not out, Sazzad 0, extras 3; Bashar 1-13, Waseem 1-19, Shahadat 2-4).
DHAKA SPORTS CLUB: 66-3 in 7.2 overs (Waseem 43 not out, Rashedur 0, Bashar 1, Hanif 1, Anisur 11 not out, extras 10; Saeed Anwar 1-10, Kasif 1-16, Kamrul 1-10).
RESULT: Dhaka Sports won by seven wickets.
Man-of-the-Match: Waseem Nayeem (Dhaka Sports Club).

BROTHERS: 150-7 in 20 overs (Mehrab 33, Mubarak 20, Tushar 33, Kapugedera 40 not out, extras 8; Rasel 2-21).
ABAHANI: 77-2 in 11 overs (Tamim 41 not out, Hannan 23, extras 6; Mubarak 1-21, Shahajada 1-6).
RESULT: Match Tied.
Man-of-the-Match: Tamim Iqbal (Abahani).

Winning the toss in the maiden match, Noakhali Top Sports elected to bat first and made a formidable total of 158 for four from the stipulated 20 overs.

Nazmus Sadat of Top Sports scored unbeaten 91 from just 57 balls.

In reply, the host only able to make 125 losing all the wickets but keeping 12 balls in hand.

Earlier, State Minister for Youth and Sports Md Ahad Ali Sarkar officially inaugurated the tournament followed by a grand cultural ceremony.

The galleries, special enclosures and pavilion of the newly renovated stadium were decorated colourfully to welcome the exciting event. Posters and banners were also fixed in different nook and cranny of the port city.

Chittagong Divisional Krira Sangstha (CDKS) is the organiser of the tournament that took inspiration from popular Indian tournaments such as the Indian Premier League (IPL) and Indian Cricket League (ICL).

The participating teams have drawn attention of dozens of national cricketers where few well-known foreign players have been also participating.

An auction of 48 selected cricketers, which was something new in Bangladesh, was held on April 25 at the Chittagong Club auditorium.

The city’s cricket fanatics would find the auction hard to forget because of the bidding war that took place for local boy and Bangladesh opener Tamim Iqbal. The dashing left-hander was won away by Chittagong Abahani for an astonishing price of Tk 7.7 lakh.

Eight teams split into two groups are contesting the nine-day tournament with Chittagong Mohammedan, Chittagong Abahani, Chittagong Brothers Union and Top Sports in Group A. Ispahani, Dada Warriors, Dhaka Sports Tiger of Laxmipur and Pirates of Chittagong are the teams of Group B.

Tomorrow, Dada Warriors will take on Dhaka Tigers in the morning while Abahani face Brothers Union in the afternoon.

The two semifinals will be held on May 9 between while the final will take place on May 10.

Scores Update:
Noakhali Top Sports – 80/3 in 11 overs

Noakhali Top Sports – 114/3 in 16 overs

Noakhali Top Sports -  158/4 in 20 overs

Chittagong Mohammedan – 125/10 in 20 overs

The eight participating teams and organisers are equally caught up in an enthusiastic mood to set up everything. Besides the stadium arena wore a festive look too.

The draw held yesterday afternoon to decide the teams’ grouping surprised many as Group A appears stronger with the three popular clubs Chittagong Mohammedan Sporting (MSC), Chittagong Abahani and Chittagong Brothers Union being pitted together along with Top Sports Club of Noakhali DSA.

Group B consists of Ispahani Sports Club, Dada Warriors (a team of MEB Group), Dhaka Sports (Laxmipur) and the Pirates of Chittagong (team of shipping company Continental Group).

Divisional Commissioner and President of Chittagong Divisional Krira Sangstha (CDKS), which is organising the PCL, Organising Committee Chairman AZM Nasiruddin, CDKS General Secretary Sirajuddin Md Alamgir and Vice President Ali Abbas conducted the open lottery for deciding the grouping of the teams.

“It seems that the A Group is much stronger but we have nothing to do with it since it’s been decided on lottery in presence of all concerned. But we believe, the teams of other group doesn’t stand that much chance,” Sirajuddin Alamgir, also an executive member of Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB), told The Daily Star yesterday afternoon.

Meanwhile, six teams have so far confirmed foreign recruits of which five have completed their foreign recruits till filing of this report yesterday, according to team sources.

The teams are Chittagong MSC, Abahani, Dada Warriors, Brothers Union, Pirates of Chittagong and Ispahani SC.

MSC booked two Pakistani brothers Kaiser & Nayar Abbas. The former is a national discard while the latter plays for the Pakistan U-19’s. Both arrived in Chittagong yesterday morning and participated in the practice session in the afternoon with other team members.

Dada Warriors officials also confirmed the names of two Pakistani players including Saeed Anwar jnr. who played for Surjo Tarun in Dhaka League, and Kashef Navid.

On the other hand, Chittagong Abahani and Brothers roped in Sri Lankan duo’s. Samara Silva and Frank Dimuth Madhushantha Karunaratne signed for the former while national team stars Jeehan Mubarak and Chamara Kapugedara will sign on for Brothers, who already look the best team on paper.

Besides the Sri Lanka duo Brothers also have Mehrab Hossain jnr., Abdur Razzak, Nafees Iqbal, Tusher Imran and Dollar Mahmud.

The Pirates of Chittagong kept faith on two Pakistani all-rounders, Noman Ullah and Waqas Ahmed while Ispahani SC hired Jiban Mendis, a left hand batsman from Pakistan and Munir Ahmed Dar, a left-arm all-rounder from Hong Kong.

Total Prize Money:
Total budget for this tournament is 2.40 Crore Taka. The champions will receive Tk 15 lakh as prize money and the runners-up Tk 5 lakh. Man of the match will get Tk 10,000 while league’s best player will get Tk 25,000 and highest scorer and highest wicket-taker Tk 15,000 each.

Twenty20 Cricket League Venue:
Port city Chittagong MA Aziz Stadium.

Tournament Starts:
May 2, 2009

Participating teams:
Chittagong Abahani Ltd
Chittagong Mohammedan SC
Chittagong Brothers Union
Ispahani SC
Pirates of Chittagong
Dada Warriors
Top Sports and DSC Tigers

PCL Coordinator:
Alamgir Mohammad Sirajuddin

Players:
Forty-eight leading cricketers of the country, in five groups, go to auction with per match floor price of Tk 30,000 for Grade A+ cricketer, Tk 20,000 for Grade A, Tk 15,000 for Grade A-, Tk 10,000 for Grade B+, and Tk 8,000 for Grade B.

Foreign Players:
The participating teams will be entitled to recruit two foreign players, two national players, four Dhaka Premier Division Cricketers and three players from Chittagong Division.

Title Sponsor:
Habib Group