The fifth round of the Dhaka Premier League ended yesterday with batting exhibitions from Mahmudullah Riyad and Marshall Ayub at BKSP, which guided Sheikh Jamal Dhanmondi Club to their third success with a 90-run victory over Cricket Coaching School (CCS). The two batsmen shared a 203-run third-wicket partnership on way to their individual tons, helping Sheikh Jamal post a formidable 290 for five.

In March last year, during the World Cup in Australia-New Zealand, Riyad secured a prominent place in Bangladesh's cricket history by hitting consecutive hundreds against England and New Zealand, memories of which are still fresh in the minds of millions of cricket fans. Still there was no shortage of excitement in the elegant right-hander after he made a 139-ball 130, his first century in the ongoing competition, as he said: “A three-digit figure is always a tonic for any batsman because it gives that player huge confidence.”

As a captain Riyad however was more interested to praise his partner rather than talking about his own knock, which featured eight fours and five sixes.

“I enjoyed the partnership most. Someone can definitely enjoy his batting if he has a batsman like Marshal at the other end. We have a good understanding as we have had enough experience of batting together. His calmness and batting style is always nice and pleasing to watch from the other end,” said Riyad about Marshall Ayub's maiden List A century.

MAHMUDULLAH RIYAD... 130

“It feels good as it was my first List A hundred though I had some hundreds in the league [before the DPL attained List A status]. My average is not good in limited-over cricket and even the young cricketers have better averages than me. So this innings gives me the confidence.  I am out of the national side but I always take inspiration from the young cricketers. I am getting the opportunity to bat at number three, so I am trying to cash in on it,” said Marshall while talking about his 115-ball 103, which featured 12 boundaries.

At the Khan Shaheb Osman Ali Stadium in Fatullah, two foreigners stole the show as Sri Lankan Upul Tharanga cancelled out Indian Jatin Saxena to help Mohammedan secure a four-wicket victory against Kalabagan Cricket Academy in a rain-interrupted match.

In reply to Kalabagan's 231, Mohammedan were at 97 for one in 20.5 overs when the match was stopped due to rain.

Mohammedan then needed to overcome the revised target of 207 runs in 43 overs and Tharanga's unbeaten 90 off 114 balls ensured that they achieved the target with three balls to spare and thus Jatin's 100-ball 97 went in vain. Opener Ezaz Ahmed was the other notable contributor for Mohammedan with a 68-ball 60 that contained two fours and four sixes.

MARSHALL AYUB... 103

At the Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium in Mirpur, a 155-run unbeaten opening partnership between Anamul Haque and Shamsur Rahman scripted the easy victory for Gazi Group against the Mashrafe Bin Mortaza-led Kalabagan Krira Chakra.

The partnership came to an end when Anamul retired hurt with a cramp after making an 83-ball 70 while Shamsur added a 91-ball 75 as Gazi overtook their opponent's 223 in 45.3 overs.

SCORES IN BRIEF 
SHEIKH JAMAL: 290-5 in 50 overs (Marshall 103, Riyad 130; Mehrab 3-45, Saleh Ahmed 2-38)
CCS: 200 all out in 48.3 overs (Saif 47, Rajin 51; Shafiul 2-28, Muktar 2-40, Mendis 2-15)
Result: Sheikh Jamal won by 90 runs.
KALABAGAN KC: 223 all out in 48.4 overs (Masakadza 40, Tasamul 47; Saeed 2-39, Moinul 2-27)
GAZI: 225-4 in 45.3 overs (Anamul 70, Shamsur 75: Mashrafe 2-43)
Result: Gazi Group Cricketers won by six wickets.
KALABAGAN CA: 231 all out in 49.2 overs (Myshukur 31, Jatin 96, Miraz 50; Naeem 2-54, Enamul 3-46, Naeem 2-56)
MOHAMMEDAN: 210-6 in 42.3 overs (Ezaz 60, Tharanga 90 not out; Bishawnath 2-39)
Result: Mohammedan won by four wickets in D/L method.