A breezy unbeaten knock of 91 by Akram Khan powered Gold Leaf XI to an easy flve-wicket victory over Bexlmco XI In the Sponsors’ cricket tournament at the Dhaka Stadium yesterday.

The match, called off Monday due to Intermittent rain for the third consecutive day, had better luck yesterday as 'rain the spoiler' was nowhere near Dhaka Stadium and after a 1-30 start, as scheduled, ran smoothly through to the end.

Set to chase the Bexlmco score of 161 for three in 42.2 overs, the Gold l.eaf outfit received a jolt when national opener Nurul Abedin Nobel was sent back to the pavilion for one with the score on six. A few runs later Rupom, who played for Bangladesh Blman in the recently concluded Navana Premier Division league, limped off the ground after scoring nine.

Akram Khan, brimming with confidence after scoring an unbeaten 115 in the previous game, dispelled the cloud of doubt, if there was any, over the fate of the match with his solid willow work. The burly Abahani allrounder kept the1 fielders on their toes with his agile running between the wicket. He raced to his half-ccntury in 60 balls and made another 41 runs tn only 31 balls when the chase came lo an end. Akram's innings was interspersed with three fours and a huge six.

Apart from Akram, the only other batsman to have some success was Ripon who made 28 In 74 balls before being run out

Barua, the wicketkeeper, walked back to the pavilion with Akram after Gold Leaf reached 163 in 41.2 overs — six balls inside the allocated 42.2. He made 15.

Bexlmco will take on Navana XI today in a day-night match.