DHAKA, June 7, 2021 (BSS)—Khelaghar Samaj Kallayan Samity ended defending champion Abahani Limited’s three-match winning streak in the Bangabandhu Dhaka Premier League (DPL) with a stunning eight-run victory at BKSP-3 ground today.
Thanks to a belligerent 46 ball-66 of opener Imtiaz Hossain, Khelghar posted a decent 164-6, a score that looked not so daunting against a much-vaunted batting line up of Abahani but their bowlers bowled in disciplined manner to restrict the domestic powerhouse to 156-5 and in doing so produced the first upset of the season.
Imtiaz’s knock which included six fours and three sixes proved to be decisive at the end. Alongside him, Mehidy Hasan Miraz played a crucial 33 off 25, studded with four fours and one six. Imtiaz’s opening partner Rafsan Al Mahmud scored 18 and shared a 42-run stand for just four overs to give the side a flying start.
However apart from these three, no one could contribute much as Abahani bowlers regrouped well to hold them back in a chase-able total.
But Khelaghar bowlers resisted the Abahani batsmen, demonstrating a grit and determination. Their strategy of curving the aggression of Abahani batsmen, bowling with disciplined line and length served them well.
Rony Chowdhury and Khaled Ahmed were the successful bowlers for Khelaghar with two wickets apiece but all other bowlers came up with measly bowling effort.
For Abahani, opener Naim Sheikh and middle order batsman Nazmul Hossain Shanto scored identical 49. Skipper Mushfiqur Rahim failed to deliver, scoring just 8.
Abahani earlier defeated Partex Sporting Club, Old DOHS and Brothers Union to move atop of the point table but this defeat forced them to move down in third spot.
Khelaghar lost their first two matches to Sheikh Jamal Dhanmondi Club and Prime Doleshwar but defeated Legends of Rupganj and now Abahani to keep them in sixth position as of now.