Abahani clinch 3rd straight DPL title beating Mohammedans

Dhaka Premier League cricket

Dhaka, Apr 29 — Abahani Limited won yet another title of the Dhaka Premier Division Cricket League, beating their arch-nemesis Mohammedan Sporting Club on Tuesday in Dhaka. 

It was their third straight title in the Dhaka League. Overall, it was Abahani’s 24th title in this league, and seventh after the league got its List-A status in the 2012-13 season. 

Chasing 241, Abahani reached the target with 56 balls to spare, thanks to a match-winning partnership between captain Mosaddek Hossain and Mohammad Mithun.

The duo added an unbeaten 135 runs for the fifth wicket, steering their side to 243 for 4 in 40.4 overs. 

Mosaddek led from the front with an all-round performance. After claiming 2 for 39 in 10 overs with the ball, he remained unbeaten on 78 off 65 balls, striking five sixes and six fours. 

Mithun supported him well with a fluent 66* off 66 deliveries. 

Earlier, Mohammedan posted 240 for 7 in 50 overs after being asked to bat. 

Veteran Mahmudullah (50 off 63) and Ariful Haque (50 off 59) guided their team with a 90-run stand after the top order faltered. Opener Rony Talukdar scored 45, while Farhad Hossain added 42. 

Abahani lost opener Shahriar Kamal for just 1 in the opening over but recovered through a 56-run stand between Parvez Hossain (28) and Zishan Alam (55). 

Nasum Ahmed, who took 2 for 59, briefly stalled Abahani’s progress, but Mosaddek and Mithun ensured there were no further hiccups. 

With this victory, Abahani wrapped up the DPL season with 15 consecutive wins, overturning a loss in their opening game. - UNB