Ton-up Soumya keep Abahani alive in retaining DPL title
Photo: BCB
|| CF Correspondent ||
Defending champions Abahani Limited made a mockery of Legends of Rupganj to annihilate them by 102 runs at BKSP-4 ground on Sunday and sealed their fourth victory in a row in the super league phase of Dhaka Premier League (DPL). By doing so, they regained the top spot which they lost to Rupgannj halfway through the group phase of DPL.
Both the teams have now 24 points from 15 games but Abahani have massive run rate in their favour, a 0.905 in contrast of Rupganj’s 0.425.
This was not only indeed a sweet revenge of their six-wicket loss to Rupganj in the group phase but also kept Abahani alive in retaining the coveted title. Abahani’s defeat in the match would let Rupganjs to hand on the trophy, leaving the final round of Super League on Tuesday inconsequential one.
Now the victory literally made Abahani heavily favourite to win the trophy. Abahani will take on Sheikh Jamal in their last game on Tuesday while Rupganj will face off Prime Bank Cricket Club. Given the difference in run rate Rupganj need to produce a miracle if Abahani win their game against Jamal.
Electing to bat first, Abahani racked up a gigantic 377-7, the season’s highest total so far, a score that was too good for Rupganj that they even couldn’t give any scare to overhaul the total. They were finally restricted to 275-7 in 50-over allocation.
This was third highest List A total by any Bangladeshi club in the history. Abahani Limited’s 393-4 against Prime Doleshwar in 2018 remains the highest while Bangladesh A’s 386 against Ireland A, also in 2018 is the second highest.
Abahani were criticized for not scoring 300 plus total for a single time before this match when other team regularly did so but the Dhanmondi outfit had done it in style in the most crucial game of the league.
On a day when he returned to much-awaited form, Soumya Sarkad led the charge with a whirlwind 106 off 79, clattering 15 fours and two sixes.
Soumya and inform Jahurul Islam combined for a 169-run in just 24.2 overs for the opening stand to hint a massive total. Jahurul struck 75 off 83 with six fours and two sixes but he was the only batsman from the top and middle order to not to score over 100 strike rate.
Nazmul Hossain Shanto hit 23 ball-24, Wasim Jaffer made 46 off 39 while Sabbir Rahman added 23 ball-33 to keep the flow in the middle before Mohammad Mithun plundered Rupganj bowlers all corner of the park to blast 34 ball-64 not out, laced with seven fours and two sixes. After Soumya’s start, Mithun was key in helping Abahani reach the season’s highest total.
When they were five down for 86 in 18th over in pursuit of 378, Rupganj literally resigned to go after it. However opener Mohammad Naim who kept his wicket intact amid regular wickets tumbling batted throughout the innings to remain unbeaten on 123 off 135 with 13 fours and two sixes.
Mohammad Shahid made 53 and Rishi Dhawan scored 29. Taskin Ahmed who conceded 57 runs in five overs to take two wickets made 24 not out.
Mehidy Hasan Miraj, the off-spinner was the most successful bowler for Abahani Limited 3-65. Mashrafe Bin Mortaza scalped 2-20.
