Abahani Limited ended the Dhaka Premier League (DPL) group phase, staying at the top of the point table following their five-wicket victory over City Club, thanks to a brilliant century of Najmul Hossain Shanto at BKSP-4 ground on Sunday.
The most successful club of the DPL history lost only one game and collected 20 points from 11 matches, the same as defending champions Sheikh Jamal but topped the table, courtesy of better run rate. Legends of Rupganj stayed at third position with 16 points.
Leg-spinner Rishad Hossain claimed 4-29 as Abahani Limited bowled City Club out for 172 in 39.2 overs after they opted to bat first.
Opener Towfik Khan Tushar was the top-scorer with 79 off 51, hitting seven fours and six sixes but despite his whirlwind knock, City Club fell flat, largely due to the failure of the other batters.
However credit should go to Rishad who tightened the noose after coming into act.
Left-arm spinner Tanvir Islam and offspinner Mosaddek Hossain grabbed two wickets apiece to make the initial damage of City Club who could have given a shot to the super league phase had they won the game.
Abahani lost their two inform openers Anamul Haque Bijoy (1) and Naim Sheikh (0) inside two overs, that left the side to 7-2. If that raised a prospect of an upset, Shanto shrewdly diminished it, hitting an unbeaten 102 off 112, a knock studded with 12 fours and three sixes. Riding on his first century in this season's league, Abahani raced to the victory in 35.1 overs, making 174-5.
Mahmudul Hasan was the other notable scorer with 39. Robiul Haque kept the side in game with 4-38 before Shanto trumped him to script the side's victory.
Legend of Rupganj's aspiration to secure Dhaka Premier League (DPL) title got a further setback after suffering an eight-wicket defeat to Sheikh Jamal Dhanmondi Club at BKSP-3 ground.
Rupganj eventually finished the group phase with 16 points from 11 matches, four points adrift of Abahani Limited and Sheikh Jamal. The four points however could make a difference in the Super League phase.
Saif Hasan led the charge before Indian recruit Parvej Rasool bowled beautifully to dismiss Rupganj for just 162 in 45.1 overs after they were put into bat first.
Wicket-keeper batter Irfan Shukkur's 53 helped the side go past 150 runs mark after they were reduced to 49-5 with both openers MunimShariar and Parvez Emon bagging the duck. Sohag Gazi was the other notable scorer with 29.
Rasool claimed 3-29 while Shafiqul Islam and Arif Ahmed snapped up two wickets apiece to complement his effort.
Saif then struck six fours and four sixes for his 78 off 81 as Jamal cantered to the victory with 168-2 in just 28.1 overs. His opening partner Robiul Islam Robi made 58 and the duo combined for 141-run for the opening stand to make the chase a cake-walk.
Both of the batters were dismissed in the space of 12 runs but Fazle Rabbi calmly drove the side to the victory with 24 not out.
