Ruthless Abahani clinch DPL title
Shanto, Nasir smash centuries as they beat Rupganj by 94 runs
Sports Reporter
Countrys most adorable cricket team Abahani Limited clinched the coveted Dhaka Premier Division Cricket League (DPL) title in emphatic fashion, demonstrating a ruthlessness that required to defy complicated equations and uncertainty hovering around them.
With Sheikh Jamal Dhanmondi Club had equal chance to put hands on the trophy, pressure was on Abahani to win their game against Legends of Rupganj. But the Dhanmondi outfit showed no sign of pressure as they whacked Rupganj past by 94 runs in the last match of the league at the BKSP ground yesterday.
We had good homework with the game, which paid the dividends, said Abahanis senior player Mashrafe Bin Mortaza. We wanted to go all out attack from the first ball. Sometimes it didnt work but on the day of most crucial game for us, it worked well.
Its a fantastic team, happy to be part of it.
Captain Nasir Hossain and inform Nazmul Hossain Shanto were to fore in sealing the victory with easier than anticipation, smashing fluent centuries as Abahani compiled a hefty 374 for six. Tension still ran high considering the small size of the ground and the batting resources of Rupganj but Abahanis bowlers came up with controlled aggression to shoot them out for 280 in 42.4 overs, scripting the sides record 18th title of the league.
Opener Shanto struck 113 off 107, his third century in the league that studded with 11 fours and two sixes. Nasir Hossain was not amongst the runs throughout the league but on the most crucial moment, he came up with fire, smashing a 91 ball-129, a knock that was designed with 15 fours and four sixes.
Evergreen Mashrafe Bin Mortaza hit some lusty blows towards the end, in an innings of eight ball-28 not out, which took the score out of reach of Rupganj. Mashrafe entertained the little crowd in the ground with four towering sixes.
However it was the opening partnership of Shanto and Anamul Haque Bijoy that gave the side a solid base as they plundered 92 runs in just 12.1 overs. Bijoy made 57 off 51, hitting eight fours and one six.
Bijoys dismissal sparked a mini collapse as Abahani lost Hanuma Vihari and Mithun Ali cheaply to be reduced to 123 for three before Shanto and Nasir put the side in commanding position.
They combined for a 183 runs for the fourth wicket, destroying the bowling line up of Rupganj who gave the side a ray of hope in triggering Abahanis middle order collapse.
After completing their centuries, Shanto and Nasir were dismissed in a short space while Mehidy Hasan Miraj failed to provide any firework, leaving Abahani further troublesome situation. But Mashrafe Bin Mortaza came up with fire to help Abahani end on a high.
In pursuit of big total, Rupganj lost opener Abdul Majid for naught in the second ball of the innings but Mohammad Naim and Mushfiqur Rahim kept the side on track.
They shared 91 runs for the third wicket after the side was reduced to 41 for two and kept the asking run rate in favour.
Skipper Nasir Hossain then came up with brilliant show in bowling also, dismissing dangerous Naim for 70 and opened the game for Abahani. He followed it up with the wicket of Mushfiqur Rahim who got 67 with four fours and one six. With 190 for four, the match was virtually over for Rupganj but their captain Naeem Islam refused to bow down.
He kept their fans interested with a knock of 76 but the wickets were tumbling at other end, leaving Rupganj cluless. They were finally all out for 42.4 overs, sparking a huge jubilation in Abahanis tent.
