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Mohammedan survive a scare to seal Super League in DPL
DHAKA, April 11, 2019 (BSS)-Country’s traditional powerhouse Mohammedan Sporting Club finally were able to seal a spot in Super League phase of Dhaka Premier League (DPL) with a hard-earned one-wicket victory over lowly BKSP at Khan Shaheb Osman Ali Stadium in Fatullah today.
BKSP who stayed at second from bottom table, posted 249-7 after electing to bat first and posed a stiff challenge to Mohammedan, who despite a good start from the top order, suffered a middle order collapse and finally scrambled to victory, making 252-9 in the penultimate delivery of the match.
With 12 points from 11 games, Mohammedan moved to the fifth spot in the point table. Legends of Rupganj stayed in the top of the table with 20 points, while Abahani Limited and Prime Bank came up as second and third as per net-run-rate after obtaining identical 16 points. Prime Doleshwar is in the fourth of the table with 14 points.
Mohammedan and Sheikh Jamal both have 12 points but the former is ahead of the latter by virtue of net-run-rate.
Gazi Group Cricketers were also in the contention of Super League but their 34-run defeat to Prime Bank ruined their hopes.
Mohammedan needed this victory badly in a bid to confirm their spot. Openers Liton Das and Irfan Shukkur added 77 for the opening stand to hint an effortless victory but BKSP put up a tough battle to almost on their way to produce an upset.
Shukkur made 41 and was the first batsman to be out before Liton Das failed yet again to convert his good start to big one. Liton struck six fours in his 57 ball-53.
Skipper Roqibul Hasan and Avishek Mitra kept the side in the hunt. However when Naushad Iqbal removed Roqibul for 35, Mohammedan suffered a sensational collapse losing five wickets for 51 runs, including Mitra who was highest scorer for the side with 65 off 69, smashing two fours and three sixes.
With Mohammedan reeling on 214-7, it was anybody’s game but the lower order showed a great composure in bailing the side out of the danger. Rahatul Ferdous scored 14 and Qazi Anik made unbeaten 13, to be instrumental in sailing the side home.
Rahatul Ferdous also snapped up 3-37 with cherry to help Mohammedan restrict BKSP in a chase-able total.
Even though their start was not good enough, Aminul Islam and Shamim Hossain paved a platform of big total, adding 96-run for the third wicket. As they grew with confidence, Rahatul struck to break the partnership, dismissing Shamim for 49. Aminul who was the highest scorer for the side with 60 was removed little after.
However Parvez Hossain Emon and skipper Akbar Ali made identical 38 to help the side get closer to 250 runs mark.
BSS/SMP/SMM/1805 hrs