Abahani outplay arch-rival Mohammedan in DPDCL

Dhaka Premier Division Cricket League (DPDCL) defending champions Abahani Limited beat Mohammedan Sporting Club by six wickets at Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium in the city on Monday, reports UNB.

Mohammedan, sent to bat after losing the toss, posted 248 runs with the help of two fifties from Irfan Shukkur and Raqibul Hasan.

Their first-wicket stand added 40 runs. But Liton Das, who took part in this season of the league for the first time, failed to continue his solid start and fell as the first batsman.

Liton hit 26 while Abdul Mazid fell for 27. In the third-wicket stand, Irfan and Mohammedan captain added 68 runs. Before being removed by Nazmul Islam, Irfan added 57 runs while Raqibul hit 51.

Mohammedan's Sri Lankan recruit Chaturanga de Silva, hit 32, and Sohag Gazi accumulated 27.

For Abahani, Mohammad Saifuddin and Nazmul bagged three wickets each.

In reply, Abahani reached the goal in 47.3 overs with six wickets in hand (254/4). Jahurul Islam Omi hit 96 and nearly missed a century.

Abahani had a solid start with the help of Jahurul and Soumya Sarkar. They added 105 runs in the opening stand before Soumya fell for 43. Wasim Jaffer followed him scoring 38 while Najmul Hossain Shanto posted 16.

 In the fifth wicket stand, Sabbir Rahman and Mosaddek Hossain added 40 runs. Sabbir hit Abdul Mazid for a massive six over long-on to seal the game for Abahani.

It was Abahani's fifth win in six matches. They came back to the winning-streak after losing the previous match to Prime Bank Cricket Club. Monday's victory helped them cement their place at the top of the points table.

On the other hand, it was Mohammedan's third consecutive loss in the league.

Meanwhile, in the sixth round of DPDCL, Legends of Rupganj beat Khelaghar Samaj Kalyan Samity by five wickets in Savar on Monday.

While batting first, Khelaghar posted 264 for three wickets in 50 overs. Legends of Rupganj chased it in 49.2 overs (268/5) with the guidance of Mehedi Maruf and Mohammad Naim.

While Mehedi hit his second consecutive century, Naim scored 72. They added 118 runs in the opening stand of their innings.

However, Mominul Haque (26) and Shahriar Nafees (8) failed to capitalise on it. Naeem Islam, the captain of Rupganj, ended hitting 28.

Left-arm bowler Moinul Islam scalped three wickets for Khelaghar but failed to make that his side did not lose the match.

Earlier, Rupaganj won the toss and opted to bowl first. Khelaghar accumulated 264/3 in 50 overs with the help of consecutive second fifty of Mahidul Islam Ankon (77).

Along with him, Ashok Menaria, the Indian selection of Khelaghar, hit an unbeaten 87 for them as well. Apart from them, the right-handed opener, Robiul Islam Robi, hit 53.

 Subashis Roy, Rishi Dhawan and Muktar Ali took one wicket each for Rupganj.

 Mehedi Maruf was awarded man of the match for his superb ton with eight fours and two sixes.

 It was Rupganj's fifth win in six matches, and the win guided them to the second place of the points table. On the other hand, Khelaghanr suffered the fifth loss in six rounds.

In the other match of the day, Sheikh Jamal Dhanmondi Club beat Gazi Group Cricketers by 43 runs in Fatullah.

Sheikh Jamal batted first and posted 277 runs. In reply, Gazi tumbled for 234 all-out in 47 overs and capitulated by 43 runs.

 Shamsur Rahman (80) and Mahedi Hasan (60) hit fifties for Gazi, but their efforts were not enough for them to avoid a loss.

 Earlier, Gazi won the toss and invited Sheikh Jamal to bat first. They posted 277 for six wickets in 50 overs.

 Captain of Gazi Nurul Hasan was the best batsman of them hitting an unbeaten 81. Besides him, Sri Lankan recruit Asela Gunaratne was the other batsman to hit another fifty for them (79).

 Apart from Nurul and Gunarante, Fardeen Hasan hit 46, and Nasir Hossain contributed with 23.

For Gazi, Parvez Rasool, their Indian recruit, scalped three wickets while Mahedi Hasan, Kamrul Islam Rabbi and Myshukur Rahman bagged one wicket each.

Asela Gunaratne was the man of the match for his splendid 79 off 65 deliveries with seven fours and two sixes. It was Sheikh Jamal's third win in six matches. On the other hand, Gazi Group suffered the fourth loss in as many matches.