Rupganj, Abahani launch super league with bang

Tournament favorite Legend of Rupganj launched their Dhaka Premier league (DPL) super league campaign with a flourish to humble Mohammedan Sporting Club by 46 runs at Bangladesh Krira Shikkha Protisthan No 3 Ground, Savar on Monday.

Rupganj's batsmen, sparked by brutal partnerships between Naeem Islam, Mominul Haque and Shahriar Nafees, smashed Mohammedan all around stadium to post an imposing 4 for 313 from their 50 overs.

The player of the match Naeem led from the front with a brilliant unbeaten century (108) while Mominul (78) and Nafees (68) provided the supporting role. Fast bowler Subashis Roy and swing bowler Mohammad Shahid then spearheaded Rupganj's bowling attack to dismiss Mohammedan 267 in 46.2 overs. Irfan Sukkur top-scored for Mohammedan with 73 while veteran Raqibul Hasan scored 58 from 62 balls.

Mohammedan lost wickets steadily with right-armer Subashis finishing with three for 56 from nine overs while Shahid and spinner Nabil Samad claiming two wickets each.Irfan Sukkur and Liton started Mohammedan's chase with positive note putting 41 rapidly before Liton was removed by Subashis while Avishek Mitra was dismissed by Nabil samad Mohammedan left struggling at 71 for 2.

Irfan and Raqibul put together an 81-run third-wicket partnership to keep Mohammedan in the hunt but the required run-rate just kept mounting as Irfan, who scored 73 off 91 balls, struggled. He finally succumbed to the pressure of scoring quick runs.Sohag Gazi tried to fight back with a 19-ball 29, but his wicket off Shahid spelt more trouble for Mohammedan. Subashish soon joined forces to castle Mohammad Ashraful (11) as topper Rupganj gained control of the match.

Meanwhile, giant Abahani Limited produced a sensational bowling display to skittle out Prime Doleshwar Sporting Club for 86 at Shere Bangla National Stadium, Mirpur, Dhaka. Wasim Jaffar (71) and Nazmul Hasan Shanto (70) struck half centuries before seamer Mohammad Saifuddin claimed 5-9 as Abahani registered a memorable win after handing back-to-back defeat in the final round matches.

Farhad Reza's decision to bowl first after winning the toss backfired as none of the Doleshwar batsmen could manage to stay long at the crease during run chase. Chasing a target of a chaseble 252, Doleshwar's inept batting performance brought about their downfall as they bundled out for a paltry 86, their lowest score in DPL.

Medium pacer Saifuddin had impressive figures of five for nine which had more to do with ineptitude of the Doleshwar batsmen to perform rather than the venom in his deliveries. Only four batsmen in DOleshwar - Farhad Hossain, Saif Hasan, Mahmudul Hasan and Enamul Haque Jr. managed to get runs in double digits as other Doleshwar batsmen found it tough to score against Abahani.

Saifuddin rocked Dileshwar from the first over of the innings, getting rid of Imran Uzzaman , Shykat Ali, Farhad Hossain, Saif Hasan and Marshall Ayub in a span of five overs to leave the opposition tottering. Doleshwar could never recover from the early blows and slipped to 51 for seven in the 18th over, leaving the responsibility of getting runs to the tail enders.

On the other hand, Sheikh Jamal Dhanmondi Club rode on a brilliant all-round show by Elias Sunny and an outstanding knock by overlooked Nasir Hossain to thrash Prime Bank Cricket Club by six wickets at Khan Shaheb Osman Ali Stadium, Fatullah. Sunny proved the unlikely batting star with a 67-run knock after taking three wickets while Nasir Hossain slammed an unbeaten 112 to chase down 237-run target with eight balls to spare.

The player of the match Sunny took three wickets for 35 runs as Prime Bank crumbled after asked to bat first to be dismissed for 236 in 48.3 overs.The left-hander then opened the innings and hit 67 from 104 balls, helping Jamal to make a solid start before finisher Nasir provided the finishing touch with a brilliant century. He slammed 12 fours and three sixes in his unbeaten hundred.