Published: 09:22 AM, 06 May 2026
Mohammedan clinch win in DPL, Leopards upset Abahani
Mohammedan opener AnamulHaque was adjudged the player of the match against City Club in DPL.-BCB
The 2025-26 season of the Dhaka Premier League (DPL) began with major disruptions, as five of six matches were reduced overs due to poor lighting and wet outfields.
Reigning champions Abahani Limited suffered a shock five-wicket defeat to newcomers Dhaka Leopards at Bashundhara Sports City, while Mohammedan Sporting Club and Prime Bank Cricket Club opened their campaigns with wins.
Mohammedan had to dig deep to beat City Club by five wickets in a rain-shortened 37-over contest at BKSP Ground No. 3. Chasing 195, they needed 61 runs from the final 48 balls before TowhidHridoy and Yasir Ali steadied the innings.
Hridoy made 34 off 35 balls, while Yasir remained unbeaten on 36 off 23 to guide the team home. Earlier, opener AnamulHaque laid the foundation with 80 off 88 balls. City Club had posted 194-9, thanks to SadiqurRahman's 56, while off-spinner Naeem Ahmed claimed four wickets.
Abahani Limited's title defense in the Dhaka Premier League (DPL) got off to a poor start, a major event in the opening round of the country's most coveted tournament.
Opener ZakirHasan struck a match-winning 74 as Dhaka Leopards handed reigning champions Abahani Limited a five-wicket defeat at Bashundhara Sports Complex on Monday.
Chasing a modest target of 182 in a rain-reduced 30-over contest, Zakiranchored the innings with a composed 66-ball knock, hitting six fours and three sixes, as the Leopards reached the target with five balls to spare.
Earlier, Abahani posted 181-8 after opting to bat, with SabbirRahmanproviding the bulk of the runs. He smashed 55 off 29 balls, including five sixes and two fours, while Mahidul Islam Ankon and SM MeherobHasancontributed 38 runs each.
However, Abahani's top order faltered, withSoumyaSarkar dismissed for a six-ball duck after being bowled by MoinKhan. Captain MosaddekHossainSaikat also failed to make an impact, scoring just 17. Moin Khan was the pick of the bowlers for the Leopards, claiming 3-21.
In reply, Zakir led from the front, adding a 50-run partnership with SaikatAli for the third wicket and sharing 74 runs with captain Mohammad Mithun for the fourth wicket to put the chase firmly in control.
Zakir looked set for a century before being dismissed by Mahfizul Rabbi for 74, but the foundation he laid proved decisive.
Saikat Ali scored 28, Mithunadded 37, and Jawad chipped in with 23 to keep the chase on track.
IftekharHossain and AlauddinBabu completed the formalities as Dhaka Leopards sealed a comfortable victory, marking a strong start to their campaign while dealing an early blow to the defending champions.
Prime Bank Cricket Club prevailed in Bank's derby as they defeated AgraniBank by four wickets in a 30-over match at BKSP-4 ground. Agrani were bowled out for 153, with captain ImrulKayes top-scoring with 32.
Alis Al Islam starred with the ball, taking four wickets. Prime Bank, however, lost six wickets in the chase before ShamimHossain's unbeaten 24 secured victory with seven balls to spare. TanjidHasan contributed 44 at the top.
