Cricinfo







Biman clinches Bangladesh Championship Trophy
Zahid Newaz in Dhaka - 12 April 1999

Bangladesh Biman has clinched the 25th National Cricket Championship playing the final against Jessore District Sports Association by virtue of first innings lead.

Sunday, the last day of the four-day match was marked by a scintillating unbeaten 141 runs by Halim Shah of Biman at the Bangabandhu National Stadium.

This is for the fourth time national flag career national airlines, Biman emerged champions since 1987-88.

Biman, who reached the final with a dramatic 4-wicket win against Mymensingh DSA, had 93 runs lead in the first innings as Jessore DSA were all out for 177 replying to Biman's 270 runs. Resuming with overnight score of 78 runs for 3 wickets in 35 overs, Biman made 263 for 5 in 91 overs in their second innings.

Middle-order batsman Halim Shah, batting with overnight 29 runs, showed brilliant form hitting 10 fours and a six, and remained not out at 141 runs. He was adjudged man of the final.

Halim Shah completed fifty runs facing 131 balls and reached the hundredth mark playing 204 deliveries. He shared 112 runs with Atiar Rahman in the fourth wicket stand. Wicket-keeper Atiar made 51 off 125 balls with seven hits across the rope.

The century maker had another 106-run association with Sanwar Hossain in the fifth wicket, where Sanwar scored only 29 runs off 104 deliveries with one boundary.

Pacer Ziauddin Babu, who took three wickets Saturday, finished with a final figure of 32-5-91-4. Wahidul captured the other wicket for 42 runs in 16 overs.

Brief score:

Bangladesh Biman (1st innings)- 270/8 in 100 overs (Shahin 63, Halim Shah 48, Rupom 47, Atiar 46, Wahidul 3/22, Babu 2/86) and 2nd innings263/5 in 91 overs (Halim Shah 141 n.o., Atiar 51, Sanwar 29, Rafiqul 23, Babu 4/91).

Jessore DSA (1st innings)- 177/10 in 83.1 overs (Imran Tushar 52, Raju 34, Nantu 22, Biplob 22, Jem 5/64, Rupom 3/31, Plaban 2/41).