Home ›› 11 May 2023 ›› Sport
When the fixture for the Super League of the ongoing 2023 Dhaka Premier League was announced, the final matchday was set aside for a clash between Abahani Limited and Sheikh Jamal Dhanmondi Club. Both had come to this stage on equal points, and if they won all their games, they would meet in the final match at the Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium on May 13 for a title decider.
When Sheikh Jamal lost their first match of the Super League stage, the hopes of a title showdown faded away. But on Wednesday, Gazi Group Cricketers beat Abahani by six wickets, and it was on as Sheikh Jamal beat Legends of Rupganj.
This means that this season’s DPL is set for a grand stand finish, with the top two sides meeting in a winner take all battle.
Even if Abahani had won the tie, the title would have gone to the winner in the final round as head-to-head comes ahead of net run rate, where the Sky Blues are ahead. However, in that case, a wash-out or a tie could have tilted it in Abahani’s favour but now, it all depends on the result of the game on Saturday.
Abahani, though, would be disappointed that they allowed it to get here. Batting first at BKSP, they had a solid start, courtesy of their openers Anamul Haque (43) and Mohammad Naim (61), who put together 90 runs in 17 overs.
However, from there, it was all downhill as nobody other than Mahmudul Hasan Joy (48) managed to put their foot on the ground, and they were bundled out for 246. Gazi Group’s Tipu Sultan picked up four wickets, while Jaynul Islam took a couple.
In reply, despite Habibur Rahman’s (8) early wicket, Abahani were rocked by Mehedi Marof’s quickfire 30 off 19 balls, which handed Gazi Group a blistering start.
Courtesy of rain, the match was reduced to 45 overs and the target for Gazi Group reset to 215 off 45 overs, which they reached with ease with 19 balls in hand, courtesy of Player of the Match Asadulla Al Galib’s unbeaten 85 and SM Meherob Hasan’s 52.
Sheikh Jamal find crucial win
Sheikh Jamal beat Legends of Rupganj by 59 runs (DLS Method) in a rain-affected match at the Khan Shaheb Osman Ali Stadium in Narayanganj.
Batting first, Player of the Match Shykat Ali’s blistering 108 runs off 81 balls, an innings where he hit 10 fours and five sixes, laid the foundation for the defending Champions, and skipper 62 and Ziaur Rahman’s brilliant unbeaten 64 off 42 balls saw Sheikh Jamal post a mammoth 350-5 on board.
In reply, rain saw the match reduced to 46.1 overs and the target set 315, and despite Irfan Sukkur’s 100 and Parvez Hossain Emon’s 63, Legends of Rupganj could only manage 255-7 to lose by 59 runs.
Prime Bank crush Mohammedan
Mohammedan suffered a crushing defeat at the Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium as Prime Bank Cricket Club beat them by six wickets.
Put into bat first, Mohammedan never could get into their groove as Pakistani left-arm spinner Kashif Bhatti’s four wickets saw them bowled out within 27.3 overs for just 109. Besides Bhatti, Rahman Rejaur Raja picked up three wickets while Nasir Hossain picked up two.
Only four Mohammedan batters could reach double figures – Imrul Kayes (16), Rubel Mia (21), Abdul Mazid (15), and Syed Khaled Ahmed (19*).
In reply, despite losing four wickets, Prime Bank walked to the target with 29.1 overs in hand, with Shahadat Hossain and Prantik Nawrose Nabil both scoring 30.
