Mohammedan Sporting Club relinquished their lead in the Dhaka Premier Division Cricket League (DPL) race for the title following a five-wicket loss to Dhaka Leopards at BKSP-3 yesterday.
Despite dominating the standings for most of the season, Mohammedan now faces the challenge of defeating Abahani Limited in the final matchday on Thursday and relying on Leopards to triumph over Prime Bank Cricket Club. This specific scenario is their only chance to secure their first DPL title since the 2009-10 season.
The defeat suffered by Mohammedan has significantly boosted Abahani’s chances for the title. With all three teams – Abahani, Mohammedan, and Prime Bank – tied at 16 points each after 10 rounds, Abahani strengthened their position by securing a 12-run victory against Gazi Group Cricketers at BKSP-4.
Abahani now only needs a win against Mohammedan to clinch their fourth consecutive title, having already defeated Prime Bank earlier in the season.
Meanwhile, Prime Bank remains in contention following an 18-run triumph over Bashundhara Strikers at PKSP. They must secure a victory against Leopards and hope for a Mohammedan victory over Abahani. In such a scenario, Prime Bank would secure their first title since the 2014-15 season due to a superior head-to-head record against Mohammedan.
The defeat suffered by Mohammedan marked a significant upset in the penultimate round, mainly attributed to the underperformance of their star-studded batting lineup. Apart from Mushfiqur Rahim’s 68 off 80 balls, the rest of their batsmen failed to make substantial contributions as they were limited to 225 for eight after being put to bat.
Leopards successfully chased down the target in 34.3 overs, led by Mominul Haque’s unbeaten 93 off 77 balls and Zawad Abrar’s explosive 66 off 34 deliveries, which included five fours and six sixes.
Simultaneously, at the adjacent venue, Abahani was bowled out for 221 in 48.3 overs, with Mahidul Islam Ankon top-scoring with 66 runs.
Their bowlers then restricted Gazi Group to 136 for nine before the number eleven batsman, Azijul Hakim Rony, and Md Rubel (33 not out) added 73 runs for the final wicket. Eventually, Iqbal Hasan Emon dismissed Rony for 41, bowling out Gazi Group for 209 to secure an exciting victory.
Over at PKSP, Prime Bank struggled at 103 for nine, with Sunzamul Islam taking four wickets. However, Abu Hider Rony’s 58 off 48 balls and an unbeaten 57-run partnership with Tipu Sultan propelled them to 160 all out in 38 overs.
In response, Sunzamul’s 57 and Nahidul Islam’s 35 guided Bashundhara to 127 for five before collapsing, losing their last five wickets for 15 runs and getting dismissed for 142. Rony claimed 3-18 while Sultan took 4-22.
Elsewhere, Rupganj Tigers Cricket Club secured a two-wicket win over Agrani Bank Cricket Club at the Bashundhara Sports Complex, while Habibur Rahman Sohan’s remarkable 45-ball century propelled Legends of Rupganj to a 74-run victory against City Club at the ULAB Cricket Ground.
