ZCZC
BSP-18
CRICKET-DPL-ABAHANI
Abahani back in race in a resounding way in g DPL title
DHAKA, April 21, 2019 (BSS)- Abahani Limited registered their fourth straight victory in the Super League phase of Dhaka Premier League (DPL)with almost retaining the title as they made a mockery of Legends of Rupganj to annihilate them by 102 runs at BKSP-4 ground today.
Defending champions Abahani also regained the top spot with this overwhelming win. Rupganj just beginning of the DPL super league, looked to have almost booked this year championship with huge advantage. Sadly Legends of Rupganj goofed of their opportunities with series of bad performance in super league.
Both the teams have now 24 points from 15 games but Abahani have massive run rate in their favour, a 0.905 in contrast of Rupganj’s 0.425.
This was not only indeed a sweet revenge of their six-wicket loss to Rupganj in the group phase but also kept Abahani alive in retaining the coveted title.
Abahani’s defeat in the match would have allowed Rupganj to lift the coveted trophy, irrespective of the result of the final round of Super League on Tuesday.
Now the victory literally made Abahani heavily favourite to win the trophy. Abahani will take on Sheikh Jamal in their last game on Tuesday while Rupganj will face off Prime Bank Cricket Club.
Abahani’s defeat in the final super league match and Rupganj’s win in their last SL match win can only change the fate of this year‘s Championship crown. Reigning champions Abahani are now enjoying a very healthy run rate lead against Rupganj.
Electing to bat first, Abahani racked up a gigantic 377-7, the season’s highest total so far, a score that was too good for Rupganj that they even couldn’t give any scare to overhaul the total. They were finally restricted to 275-7 in 50-over allocation.
This was third highest List A total by any Bangladeshi club in the history. Abahani Limited’s 393-4 against Prime Doleshwar in 2018 remains the highest while Bangladesh A’s 386 against Ireland A, also in 2018 is the second highest.
Abahani were criticized for not scoring 300 plus total for a single time before this match when other team regularly did so but its looks like the Dhanmondi outfit was saving it for the most crucial game of the league.
Thanks to Soumya Sarkar who was saving his best for this occasion as he led the charge with a whirlwind 106 off 79, clattering 15 fours and two sixes.
Soumya and inform Jahurul Islam combined for a 169-run in just 24.2 overs for the opening stand to hint a massive total. Jahurul struck 75 off 83 with six fours and two sixes but he was the only batsman from the top and middle order to not to score over 100 strike rate.
Nazmul Hossain Shanto hit 23 ball-24, Wasim Jaffer made 46 off 39 while Sabbir Rahman added 23 ball-33 to keep the flow in the middle before Mohammad Mithun plundered Rupganj bowlers all corner of the park to score whirlwind 34 ball-64 not out, laced with seven fours and two sixes. After Soumya’s start, Mithun was key batsman in helping Abahani reach the season’s highest total.
When Rupganj struggled to five down for 86 runs in 18th over in pursuit of 378, Rupganj batters literally gave up the impossible task. However opener Mohammad Naim who kept his wicket intact amidst regular wickets tumbling at the other end, he batted throughout the innings to remain unbeaten on excellent 123 off 135 with 13 fours and two sixes.
Mohammad Shahid made 53 and Rishi Dhawan scored 29. Taskin Ahmed bowled to concede 57 runs in five overs to take two wickets made 24 not out.
Mehidy Hasan Miraj, the off-spinner was the most successful bowler for Abahani Limited 3-65. Mashrafe Bin Mortaza scalped 2-20.
BSS/SMP/SMM/1755 hrs