Ashraful ton in vain as Brothers upstage Kalabagan

Another Mohammad Ashraful ton went in vain as Brothers Union chased down Kalabagan Krira Chakra's total of 252 with six wickets in hand in the Relegation League phase match of the Dhaka Premier League at Savar today.

Ashraful, who hit five centuries this season in the DPL -- the most by a player in Bangladesh's List A competition this year, followed up his tons against Mohammedan and Agrani Bank with an unbeaten 102.

Ashraful came to the crease after the early loss of wicket and along with opener Waliul Karim, kept the scoreboard ticking as the latter struck a 95-ball 79. The duo were involved in a 116-run second-wicket stand before Waliul fell in the 30th over. Ashraful started slowly, reaching his 50 off 102 balls but he reached his ton in the last ball off the innings as he remained unbeaten on a 137-ball 102 with 10 fours.

In reply, Brothers Union chased down the target with six wickets and 33 balls to spare courtesy of opener Mizanur Rahman's 104-ball 115, an innings that contained 11 fours and six sixes.

Yasir Ali and Nazmus Sadat hit 45 and 32 respectively to take Brothers Union to victory. Kalabagan's demotion from the DPL was confirmed in their last match against Agrani bank where they were defeated by six wickets. Only one of Ashraful's five centuries this season have resulted in a Kalabagan victory in a campaign where Kalabagan only managed two victories.