Abahani back to winning streak, Mohammedan stumble again

Skipper Mushfiqur Rahim roared back into form with an unbeaten 53, as holders Abahani Limited trounced Gazi Group Cricketers in the ongoing Bangabandhu Dhaka Premier League (DPL) T20 contest at Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium of Mirpur in capital on Tuesday.

Put into bat first Gazi Group scored 150 for eight in 20 overs and Abahani made 153 for three in 18 overs to seal a comfortable win and earn two points.

After drawing lot of flak for their lacklustre show in their previous match, Abahani staged a grand comeback at Mirpur.

Mosaddek, too, played a stellar role for Abahani with a priceless 50 not out.

After losing top three batsmen within 48 runs, Mushfiq (53 not out, 35 balls, 4x4s, 1x6) and Mosaddek (50 not out, 28 balls, 4x4s, threex6) were the chief architects of the dominating win as they hardly gave any space to the Gazi bowlers and overhauled the target without any hiccups with 12 balls to spare.

Earlier, Soumya Sarkar’s scintillating 67, Mahedi Hasan’s fireworks (43 off 32), along with some valuable contributions from others, helped Gazi 150/8 in the 20 overs.

Meanwhile, Prime Doleshwar Sporting Club retained the top spot of the DPL table after beating favourite Mohammedan Sporting Club by 22 runs in a rain-marred match at BKSP ground 4.

Persistent rain in the morning had seen the contest reduced to 6-overs-a-side.

Chasing 79 for win in six overs, Mohammedan were forced to stop at 56 for four in six overs.

Mohammedan’s chase started shakily as they lost their openers in the first over. Skipper Shakib Al Hasan and big hitter Nadif Chowdhury then put on 30 runs to turn the innings from helpless to hopeful. But it seemed all over when Nadif (16) and skipper Shakib (22) fall in the final overs.

Pacer Shafiul Islam picked up three wickets for 22 runs and kept Mohammedan under pressure.

Earlier after put into bat first, opener Imran Uzzaman (41 from 18 balls) gave Doleshwar a brisk start in a dominating 68-run opening stand with Shamim Hossain (29).

The player of the match Imran Uzzaman hammered two fours and five sixes in his entertaining knock.

In the day’s other DPL fixtures, Rahatul Ferdous produced a stellar all-round performance as Brothers Union thrashed Partex Sporting Club by 33 runs at BKSP.

Rahatul Ferdous struck a game changing 44-ball 54 as Brothers posted 147 for eight in 20 overs after Brothers opted to bat first. The player of the match Rahatul then claimed four wickets for 34 runs as Partex were folded for 114 in 19.5 overs.

On the other hand, Prime Bank Cricket Club pulled off a thumping seven-wicket triumph over Sheikh Jamal Dhanmondi Club at BKSP while Legends of Rupganj beat Shinepukur Cricket Club by 14-run in Mirpur. At BKSP, Old DOHS Sports Club defeated Khelaghar Samaj Kallyan Samity by 17 runs.