Abahani, Mohammedan suffer defeat in DPL opener

Dhaka, 3 March —The two traditional clubs of the country –Abahani Limited and Mohammedan Sporting Club made a disappointing start to the Dhaka Premier League (DPL) by losing their respective matches at different venues across the city today.

Defending champions Abahani Limited suffered a six-wicket defeat to Agrani Bank Cricket Club at 
Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium while Mohammedan, which formed a strongest team on 
paper, were stunned by newcomer Gulshan Cricket Club which whacked them past by 107 runs at 
BKSP-3 ground.

Abahani which released most of their top players from the previous season, were bowled for 234 in 50 
overs after being asked to bat first. The total proved to be insufficient as Agrani gunned it down with 
incredible ease, reaching 235-4 in 45 overs.

Imrul Kayes led the charge with a six-laded 94. His run-a-ball-knock was laced with three fours and 
seven sixes.  He was ably supported by Amite Hasan who made 44.

The duo shared 125 runs for the third wickets after Imranuzzman and Shadman Islam gave the side a 
solid start by sharing 58 runs for the opening stand. Imran made run-a-ball-35 while Shadman added 
46.

Mahfuzur Rabby removed  both Kayes and Amite in the space of two balls, denying the former a 
century and the latter a half-century.

Abahani, earlier rode on half-centuries from opener Parvez Hossain Emon and Mosaddek Hossain 
Saikat, the two who were instrumental in driving the side past 200 amid a reckless batting show of 
others.

Saikat made team-best 73 off 65, hitting five fours and three sixes while Emon made 50. Skipper 
Najmul Hossain Shanto made 20 off 51.

Shohidul Islam wrecked havoc on Abahani by claiming 4-44. Ruyel Mea and Shuvagata  Hom took two 
wickets apiece.

Iftikhar Hossain Ifti hammered a 110 ball-108 with nine fours and three sixes as Gulshan Cricket Club 
compiled a hefty 298-8, a total that star-studded Mohammedan were unable to handle. They were 
eventually bundled out for 191 in 40.2 overs. 

Put into bat first, Gulshan were reduced to 34-2 but opener Zawad Abrar and Iftekhar Ifti helped the 
side claw back into the game with 83-run partnership.

It was only broken when Abar was dismissed for 75 after hitting four fours and five sixes in 86 balls. Ifti 
thereafter shared 94-run with Habibur Sheikh Munna who made 47. 

Abu Haider Rony who scalped 4-56 broke the partnership but Ifti played with aggressive fashion to 
take the side closer to 300.

The rot began for Mohammedan early at the chase when skipper Tamim Iqbal was dismissed for run-
a-ball-22. Mohammedan then lost wickets in a cluster before Ariful Islam put up a huge resistance.

He single-handedly kept the side flowing but when Azizul Hakim Tamim removed him for 73, 
Mohammedan’s hope for a good start to the DPL was dashed completely.

After Ariful’s dismissal, Mohammedan lasted only three overs before being all out.