The Dhaka Premier League for 2018 has been concluded with Abahani winning the tournament for the 19^th time in their history. From the very beginning, Abahani had been playing like champions and also had the most star-studded team in the tournament.

Winning the toss and bowling first was perhaps the worst decision that Naeem Islam could have made for the Legends of Rupganj, but it was perhaps the idea of chasing down the score quickly in order to trump Abahani on the run-rate and win the championship that made the Rupganj captain do that.

Abahani seized the opportunity and spanked the Rupganj bowlers all around the park, taking their final score to 374 for 6 after 50 overs. Nazmul Hossain Shanto scored his fourth century in the DPL as he finished with 113 runs to his name.

Batting at number five, Nasir Hossain smashed 129 from 91 balls while Mashrafe Mortaza played a brilliant cameo of 28 runs from 7 balls. Parvez Rasool was the only bowler who bowled well as he took three wickets while giving away only 42 runs in his 10 overs.

Mohammad Shahid took two scalps but gave away 81 runs in his 9 overs.

Rupganj took a hit in the very beginning as Abdul Mazid got out for a duck. After that, the next five players were the only ones that got to double figures – three of whom made over 50 runs – and in the end, failed to overcome the mammoth total.

Mohammad Naim scored 70, Mushfiqur Rahim made 67 and captain Naeem Islam finished up with 76 as Rupganj could conjure only 280 in 42.4 overs. Mehidy Hasan Miraz, Sunzamul Islam, Sandip Roy and Nasir Hossain took two scalps each while Mashrafe Mortaza took one wicket to win the championship for Abahani.

Elsewhere, Gazi Group were embarrassed by Prime Doleshwar after the former were crushed for 95. Nasum Ahmed and Arafat Sunny took four and three wickets to star for the Doleshwar side.