Abahani clinch DPL title

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Abahani Limited win the Dhaka Premier League title courtesy of their 94-run victory against Legends of Rupganj at BKSP, Savar.

Batting first, Abahani Opener Nazmul Hasan Shanto and captain Nasir Hossain struck tons in the do-or-die match against Legends of Rupganj to propel Abahani to 374.

Rupganj had won the toss and sent Abahani in to bat first in a match where Abahani need a win to clinch the title. Abahani were off to a great start as both openers Anamul Haque and Nazmul got going early on. Anamul fell after a 51-ball 57 and Abahani lost two more wickets soon after. A 187-run fourth-wicket partnership developed between Nasir Hossain and Nazmul. Player-of-the-match Nasir was in blistering form, hitting 15 fours and four sixes in a 91-ball 129 run knock before he fell in the 44th over.

Mashrafe Bin Mortaza’s cameo eight-ball 28, where he hit four sixes, took the Abahani score to 374. In reply, Rupganj were bowled out for 280 in 42.4 overs. Mohammad Naim struck a 54-ball 70 at the top of the innings before he was bowled by Nasir. Captain Naeem Islam struck 76 while Mushfiqur Rahim played 66 balls for his 67 but their efforts were not enough as Abahani bowled them out for 280 to clinch the title on the last day.

Title-contenders Sheikh Jamal were bowled out for just 160 before Khelaghar chased down the target with four wickets to spare at Dhaka’s Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium. Captain Nurul Hasan top-scored with 47 in an otherwise meek batting performance from the Dhanmondi club.

In another match at Fatullah, Gazi Group were bowled out for 95 runs before Prime Doleshwar chased down the target with 26 overs and five wickets to spare. Nasum Ahmed bagged four wickets for 10 runs in just 3.4 overs for Prime Doleshwar.

Young left-armer Abu Hider bagged three wickets at the top of the order during Doleshwar’s chase but in the end Doleshwar reached the target safely.