Abahani outplay traditional foes Mohammedan in prestigious clash
Photo- BCB
|| CF Correspondent ||
Abahani came close to Legends of Rupganj after thrashing traditional rivals Mohammedan Sporting Club by 45 runs in their second game of the Super League phase in Dhaka Premier League (DPL) at the BKSP-4 ground on Wednesday.
Abahani now remain two points adrift of league leaders Rupganj after the latter conceded a four-wicket defeat to Sheikh Jamal Dhanmondi Club at the same day at Khan Shaheb Osman Ali Stadium.
On a day when Mashrafe Bin Mortaza reached new height, claiming 400 List A wickets milestone, Abahani toiled little to win the prestigious game. It was their second straight victory over the old foes in the league, having defeated them in group phase by six wickets.
Captain Mosaddek Hossain, who made a comeback to the national team, being a part of the Bangladesh’s World Cup squad, led the team from the front with a superb all-round performance—scoring 54 runs and claiming 3-36.
Electing to bat first, Abahani racked up a hefty 304-7 before a disciplined bowling helped them bundle Mohammedan out for 259 46.3 overs.
Abahani however made a disastrous start in the crucial match, losing the two openers Jahurul Islam (4) and Soumya Sarkar (17) with the scoreboard reading 32-2 in seventh over. Sabbir Rahman relished his World Cup call up with 53 ball-64, hitting five fours and four sixes to steady the innings.
Standing on the platform set by Sabbir, Mosaddek Hossian and Mohammad Mithun, another World Cup player, added 102-run for the sixth wicket stand to pave the platform of a big total.
Mithun struck six fours and two sixes in his 52 ball-56 while Mosaddek’s 57 ball-54 was studded by five fours and one six. Mohammad Saifuddin then hammered 35 ball-41 to help the side propel past 300.
Shafiul Islam was the most successful bowler for Mohammedan with 3-63 while Rahatul Ferdous took 2-41.
Mohammedan also made a horrendous start in the chase of big total, being reduced to 20-3 as Mosaddek and Mashrafe in joint venture dismantled the top order. Mashrafe reached the 400-wciekt milestone by dismissing Irfan Shukkur.
Skipper Raqibul Hasan and Mohammad Ashraful shared 128-run for the fifth wicket stand to keep the side in the hunt. But once Mashrafe broke through with the crucial wicket of Raqibul, Mohammedan’s lower order fell like a pack of cards to concede a big defeat.
Raqibul blasted 96 off 79 with 10 fours and three sixes while Ashraful made 68.
Mosaddek and Mashrafe picked up three wickets apiece.
