Abahani suffer a setback

Defending champions Abahani Limited's hope to clinch a hat-trick title of Dhaka Premier League (DPL) received a huge setback after they conceded a thumping 142-run defeat to Prime Bank Cricket Club in their first match of the Super League phase at Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium in the city on Monday, reports BSS.

Abahani indeed entered into the Super League with four points adrift of league leaders Sheikh Jamal Dhanmondi Club. As Jamal won their match against Gazi Group on Monday, the difference now stood six points, which meant, Abahani would have to rely on so many calculations if they want to retain the title.

Thanks to an 86 ball-77 of opener Anamul Haque Bijoy, Prime Bank, who were sent to bat first, compiled 273-9. Prime Bank then caught Abahani in spin web to leave them a precarious 34-5 and stood on the brink of a big victory. Abahani needed a miracle and they got a hope in captain Mosaddek Hossain Saikat, who struck a 57 ball-65. But despite his effort, Abahani eventually were shot out for 131 in 32.4 overs.

Apart from Mosaddek, Liton Das with 23 and Saifuddin with 11 were the two other batters for Abahani to reach double digit figure.

After this victory, Prime Bank reached third spot with 14 points. Abahani also have same number of points but they were in fourth position due to the net-run-rate.

Meanwhile, a sterling allround performance of Indian recruit Parvez Rasool helped Sheikh Jamal Dhanmondi Club make a winning start to the DPL Super League phase, beating Gazi Group Cricketers by 72 runs at BKSP-3 ground on Monday.

Rasool hammered a 64-ball 73 before taking 3-34 to play a vital role in winning the game, which also gave Jamal an edge to clinch the DPL title. Thanks to this victory, they bolstered their top position with 20 points. Their close rivals Legends of Rupganj are now four points adrift of them in the point table with 16 points.

Being sent to bat first, Jamal piled up 271-5 and then they bowled Gazi Group out for 199 in 43.5 overs.

Nurul Hasan Sohan also struck 73 to complement Parvej Rasool's 73. While Rasool clobbered seven fours and two sixes, Sohan hit six boundaries and one four. But Jamal got a solid start, thanks to opener Robiul Islam Robi who made 58 off 69, sending the ball across the ropes for eight times.

Dhruv Shorey took 3-31 while Maraj Mahbub snared 2-62 for gazi Group Cricketers. Shorey also scored 55 amid the wickets tumbling, courtesy to Rasool's wily offspin. Apart from Shorey, the other notable scorer was Farhad Hossain, who made 37.

Pacer Ebadot Hossain also took 3-42 for Jamal while Mrittunjoy Chowdhury snapped up 2-18.

In another match, Sabbir Rahman hit a century after six years in the DPL to hint that he has a desire still to revive his career, which took a huge nosedive once he was dropped from the Bangladesh national team following a lean batting patch.

Sabbir however was in form in the ongoing league but a big knock looked due. He got this one on Monday at BKSP-4 ground, hammering 111 ball-125 which anchored his side Legends of Rupganj's 55-run victory over Rupganj Tigers Cricket Club. His last century in DPL came in 2016 when he scored 100 against Sheikh Jamal Dhanmondi Club, playing for Prime Bank Cricket Club. This was however fourth List A century of Sabbir. Last time he scored a century in competitive cricket in national colour when he hit a ton in an ODI match against New Zealand on New Zealand soil in 2019.

Sabbir came to the crease after Legends were in troublesome 33-2, losing their two openers. The hard-hitter batter smote eight fours and eight sixes during his 125-run knock. He got an ably support from Indian recruit Chirag Jani who blasted a 66 ball-95 not out, clattering four fours and seven sixes.

Legends racked up a daunting 325-5. Rupganj Tigers were restricted to 270-9, despite a 116 not out of Saad Nasim, who in fact battled lonely for the side. Nasim hit nine fours and four sixes.

Left-arm spinner Nabil Samad claimed 5-47 for Legends of Rupganj while Sanjit Saha took 2-35. Skipper Mashrafe Bin Mortaza and Mehedi Hasan Rana picked up one wicket apiece.