Captain Mushfiqur Rahim led the side from the front as Mohammedan Sporting Club got back to the winning-streak with a comprehensive six-wicket win over Sheikh Jamal Dhanmondi Club at Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium yesterday.
The victory not only pushed Mohammedan to the super league but also brightened the hope of ending the first phase of the league as table topper on net run rate. Legends of Rupganj and Victoria who have now 13 points in 10 matches only could topple Mohammedan should they win their respective match against Brothers Union and Gazi Group Cricketers today.
Mohammedan now has 14 points after 11 matches, same has Prime Doleshwar Sporting Club and Abahani Limited.
Mushfiqur Rahim however scored an unbeaten 66 off 82, steering the side to reach the winning target of 188 for four in 32.2 overs after Jamal was restricted to 142 for eight in 42 overs. The wet outfield delayed the start of the match and made it 42 overs game.
Rahim hit seven fours and two sixes in his superb knock that set the tune. He was assisted by Naeem Islam who made a fluent 52 ball-51, sending the ball across the rope for eight times. They combined for a 73-run partnership after Mohammedan lost the openers cheaply with the scoreboard reading 38 for two.
After helping the side to reach a safe zone, Naeem Islam was dismissed as Jamal captain Mahmudullah Riyad was rewarded for his tireless job in bowling. After the dismissal of Naeem, Jamal still had the chance to take the match home but no one could complement Riyad’s fine bowling.
Mohammedan’s Indian recruit Bipul Sharma once again played an attacking knock to shatter Jamal’s slim hope of winning the game. He hit bowlers all corner of the part effortlessly to smash 25 ball-34 in which he struck three fours and two sixes, one of which reached the second tier of the stadium.
Riyad removed Bipul after his short but massive massacre but match was already in the pocket of Mohammedan who was just seven runs away of the victory by the time he got out. Mushfiqur Rahim however stayed firm and completed the inevitable with a singles towards square leg.
Riyad was the most successful bowler for Jamal with three for 52.
Bipul Sharma however played his part nicely in bowling too. The left arm spinner snapped up four for 24 to derail the innings of Jamal for whom the match was a must-win game in a bid to keep the super league hope alive. Sharma didn’t give them any respite once he came into bowling.
After the breakthrough of Nazmul Hossain by dismissing opener Abdullah Al Mamun, Sharma appeared in the stage and took out Mahbubul Karim who looked threatening. He then removed well set Marhsall Ayub to further deal a blow to the innings. Mahbubul made highest 29 while Ayub scored 27.
Naeem Islam Junior then dismissed skipper Mahmudullah Riyad on 27 after which Bipul sliced the lower order to give Mohammedan an easy target to overhaul.
Meanwhile the match between Legends of Rupaganj and Brothers Union went to the reserve day after the umpires found the ground of BKSP unplayable due to the overnight rain.