Mohammedan lift Premier League title after 8 years
Tuesday, 22 December 2009
Mohammedan SC clinched the Ispahani Mirzapore Tea Dhaka Premier Division Cricket title after long eight years beating arch-rival Abahani Limited by three wickets in the title-deciding Super League match at the Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium in Mirpur Monday, reports UNB.
With the credible victory, Mohammedan SC lifted for the 9th time Premier League crown since its inception in 1974-75.
It was the second successive win for the traditional black & white Motijheel outfit after beating Abahani by six wickets in the first phase on December 4 at the same venue.
Batting first after winning the toss, last year's champion Abahani amassed 273 for 9 in stipulated 50 overs.
Pakistani all rounder Abdur Razzak hammered match-highest 88 runs off 71 balls with three fours and six sixes while Nadif Chowdhury scored 56 runs off 67 balls with a four and two sixes.
Opener Ronny Talukder made 46 runs off 54 balls with six fours while one down Mahbubul Karim added 28 runs off 54 balls that featured six fours.
Number six batsman Nadif Chowdhury (18), another opener Imrul Kayes (12) and Hamindul Islam (7 no) were the other notable scorers for Abahani Limited.
Pakistani all rounder Rana Naved-Ul-Hasan, who played a major role today behind the victory of Mohammedan SC, claimed three wickets for 41 runs while Marshal Ayub and Saklain Sajib captured two wickets each conceding 47 and 57 runs respectively.
Chasing the target, Mohammedan SC scored 274 runs in 50 overs for the loss of seven wickets.
But, Mohammedans faced early batting jolt losing three wickets in quick succession when they scored 51 in 17.5 overs.
Faisal Hossain played a match-winning innings for Mohammedan smashing 77 runs off 69 balls with two fours and three sixes while number five batsman Mahmudullah Riad added useful 64 runs off 80 balls with three fours.
Former national skipper Mohammad Ashraful contributed 52 runs off 76 balls while Rana Naved played a blistering innings at the crucial moment hammering 29 runs off 17 balls with four sixes that finally steered Mohammedans to the victory.
At one stage, Moha-mmedans needed 40 runs off 18 balls which seemed quite impossible. But Rana made it easier scoring 18 runs from Shakib Al Hasan's over hitting two sixes and one four. He was later stumped by wicket keeper Himel as he attempted to play a big shot off Mohammad Rafique delivery of the last but one ball of the innings.
Former national wicket-keeper Khaled Masud Pilot (4 no) confirmed Mohammedan's triumph sending the ball over the fence.
Shuvashish Roy grabbed three wickets for 49 runs while former national spinner Mohammad Rafique took two for 31 runs.
Rana Naveed was adjudged the player of the match and awarded Tk 10,000 prize.
After the match, skipper Khaled Masud Pilot told the reporters that he was quite determined of winning the match despite team's early batting collapse.
He said the 115-run partnership of Mahmud-ullah Riad and Faisal Hossain in the 5th wicket stand was the turning point of the innings.
Mohammedan cricket committee chairman Lutfar Rahman Badal announced Tk 50,000 as bonus for each player for triumph against Abahani.
With the credible victory, Mohammedan SC lifted for the 9th time Premier League crown since its inception in 1974-75.
It was the second successive win for the traditional black & white Motijheel outfit after beating Abahani by six wickets in the first phase on December 4 at the same venue.
Batting first after winning the toss, last year's champion Abahani amassed 273 for 9 in stipulated 50 overs.
Pakistani all rounder Abdur Razzak hammered match-highest 88 runs off 71 balls with three fours and six sixes while Nadif Chowdhury scored 56 runs off 67 balls with a four and two sixes.
Opener Ronny Talukder made 46 runs off 54 balls with six fours while one down Mahbubul Karim added 28 runs off 54 balls that featured six fours.
Number six batsman Nadif Chowdhury (18), another opener Imrul Kayes (12) and Hamindul Islam (7 no) were the other notable scorers for Abahani Limited.
Pakistani all rounder Rana Naved-Ul-Hasan, who played a major role today behind the victory of Mohammedan SC, claimed three wickets for 41 runs while Marshal Ayub and Saklain Sajib captured two wickets each conceding 47 and 57 runs respectively.
Chasing the target, Mohammedan SC scored 274 runs in 50 overs for the loss of seven wickets.
But, Mohammedans faced early batting jolt losing three wickets in quick succession when they scored 51 in 17.5 overs.
Faisal Hossain played a match-winning innings for Mohammedan smashing 77 runs off 69 balls with two fours and three sixes while number five batsman Mahmudullah Riad added useful 64 runs off 80 balls with three fours.
Former national skipper Mohammad Ashraful contributed 52 runs off 76 balls while Rana Naved played a blistering innings at the crucial moment hammering 29 runs off 17 balls with four sixes that finally steered Mohammedans to the victory.
At one stage, Moha-mmedans needed 40 runs off 18 balls which seemed quite impossible. But Rana made it easier scoring 18 runs from Shakib Al Hasan's over hitting two sixes and one four. He was later stumped by wicket keeper Himel as he attempted to play a big shot off Mohammad Rafique delivery of the last but one ball of the innings.
Former national wicket-keeper Khaled Masud Pilot (4 no) confirmed Mohammedan's triumph sending the ball over the fence.
Shuvashish Roy grabbed three wickets for 49 runs while former national spinner Mohammad Rafique took two for 31 runs.
Rana Naveed was adjudged the player of the match and awarded Tk 10,000 prize.
After the match, skipper Khaled Masud Pilot told the reporters that he was quite determined of winning the match despite team's early batting collapse.
He said the 115-run partnership of Mahmud-ullah Riad and Faisal Hossain in the 5th wicket stand was the turning point of the innings.
Mohammedan cricket committee chairman Lutfar Rahman Badal announced Tk 50,000 as bonus for each player for triumph against Abahani.