Zahoor Elahl scored a blazing century as power prevailed over calm in a high-_ voltage Janakan-iha Premier Division Cricket League match where Kalabagan Krira Chakra defeated Mohammedan Sporting by nine runs at the Bangabandhu National Stadium yesterday.

The Pakistani scored a magnificent 144. his second successive ton in the Dhaka league, as Kalabagan piled up a mammoth total of 293 for three in the stipulated 50 overs. Mo-hammedan. in their quest of an improbable target, (ought gallantly before surrendering ten runs shy of what could have been one of the most memorable run chase in the history of Dhaka cricket

Although Kalabagan won. the seesaw battle would be remembered for a very long time by the few thousand spectators it the big bowl for some superlative knocks, excellent fielding, superb catching and a dream chase by Mohammedan.

Sent Into bat. Kalabagan openers Zahoor Elahl and cap-lain Harun-ur Rashid discovered a batting paradise and put on a huge partnership of 173. The duo sent the Mohammedan fielders on Ihe leather hunt

right from the start as Kalabagan reached fifty in only 7.5

Harun scored a typically aggressive GO with the help of six fours before becoming the first Mohammedan victim in the 35th over. But Zahoor then cut loose in company with compatriot Tariq Mehniud They produced 87 runs for the second wicket in Just 12 overs.

The stocky right-hander, who scored an unbeaten 100 against Agrani Bank, raced to complete a scintillating ton off only 97 balls studded with eleven fours and a quartet of sixes The elegant stroke-maker. who completed his fifty with a massive sixer against Ruwan Kalpage. was eventually out in Ihe 47th over, top-edging an attempted sweep against Kumara Dharmasena to Raflque at short-fine leg with his team wonderfully placed on 266

Tariq went on to score a hurricane 64 off 58 balls that included six savage hits across the rone and a huce sixer.

Mohammedan in their turn started off In a very positive manner. Young opener Rashedul Haq gave the popular Molijheel outfit a rollicking start with a superb 49 off 40 balls The right hander hammered eight fours and a massive sixer over mid-wicket before falling to a spectacular catch bv Mushhqur Rahman at long on.

The Sri Lank.in duo of Ruwan Kalpage and Has an Tillekeratne produced 93 runs for the fourth wicket But as they were set to 1 unch an at-tack, both departed in quick succession Kal page made a workman like 47 before being smartly stumped by Ishliaq.

Mohammedan hopes revolved round a more accomplished Tillekeratne. But the southpaw. on 68. returned to the dressing room offering a simple catch at mid-on off who else but Zahoor.

Zahoor completed a fantastic night bv ending with figures of two for 37 from nis ten overs

The soft dismissal of Tillekeratne effectively ended Mohammedan hope'as they were left with a daunting task of scoring 44 runs from the last 24 | deliveries. All-rounder Neeya | mur Rashid scored an enter prising 31 -ball 32. but that was not enough to avoid a defeat.