Victoria top table in DPL first phase
Gazis last attempt to reach Super Six shattered
Sports Reporter
Victoria Sporting Club became the table topper after the first phase as the curtain of the first phase of the Dhaka Premier League (DPL) fell yesterday.
Victoria acquired 15 points in 11 matches to top the table and would be accompanied by Mohammedan Sporting Club, Prime Doleshwar Sporting Club, Abahani Limited, Legends of Rupganj, all with 14 points and Prime Bank Cricket Club with 12 points into the elite phase of the league.
Opener Abdul Majids 100 was complemented by off-spinner Al-Amin Hossains five for 27 as Victoria thrashed Gazi Group Cricketers by 28 runs at Khan Shaheb Osman Ali Stadium yesterday to top the table and effectively dashed the latters hope to move into the super league.
Gazis drama to ensure their promotion to the super six thereby came to an end in a frustrating fashion.
Gazi was alleged to force the CCDM to defer their last match by one day as their foreign recruit Puneet Bishts arrival into Dhaka was delayed. Victoria and Kalabagan even sent a letter to BCB accusing Gazi for exercising the power.
Gazi could have moved to the super league in case of a direct victory since they were ahead in head-to-head battle than their two rivals Prime Bank Cricket Club and Kalabagan Krira Chakra who with 12 points were waiting for the result of Gazi Group. However the defeat kept them in 10 points and paved the way for the Prime Bank to move into the super league as the sixth team.
Head-to-head battle was counted in which Prime Bank was ahead of Mashrafe Bin Mortaza-led Kalabagan Krira Chakra.
The morning shower delayed the start of the match between Victoria and Gazi Group and it was later made a 33-over affair in which Victoria posted a huge 219 for seven with opener Abdul Majid hitting a fluent century.
Indian recruit Puneet Bisht kept Gazi in the hunt but his dismissal on 86 effectively tilted the match towards Victoria as Gazi was finally bowled out for 191 in 30.1 overs.
Gazi made a brilliant start having removed Victoria opener Fazle Rabbi on 2 to leave them nine for one in third over. But the euphoria was short-lived as Majid got an able support from Mominul Haque.
They combined for a 122 runs in just 19.3 overs to set the platform of a big score. The partnership was broken with the dismissal of Mominul who smashed 73 off 66, sending the ball across the rope for 10 times.
Majid then got Al-Amin as his partner and they made further 66 runs in the third wicket partnership in which Al-Amin contributed 22 ball-24.
Victoria then tasted a late order collapse but amid that Majid completed his ton off just 91 balls. Right after reaching the century he got out on exact 100 off 92, hitting eight fours and two sixes.
Mohammad Sharif was the most successful bowler for Gazi with three for 19.
Gazi Group got off to a horrendous start in its must-win game. They lost two batsmen with the scoreboard reading 11 for two. Shamsur Rahman Shuvo and Puneet Bisht then brought up the side in right direction and most importantly helped the side match with asking run rate.
Shamsur Rahman was out on 42 after sharing 95 runs with Puneet who then solely kept the side in the hunt. Wickets were falling like a pack of cards but he stayed firm. Victoria however ensured their victory after removing Puneet on 86. He smashed a dozen of boundaries in his 79 balls knock. Off-spinner Al-Amin Hossain scalped five for 27 to contribute in the victory immensely. The days other match between Brothers Union and Legends of Rupganj was washed out as both teams took one point each.
