Sports Desk:

Captain Mosaddek Hossain came up with sterling all-round performance as Abahani Limited edged traditional rivals Mohammedan Sporting Club past by 8 runs in their first match in the Super League phase of Dhaka Premier League at Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium on Monday.

Having won the game, Abahani took solo lead in the point table with 22 points. Defending champions Sheikh Jamal Dhanmondi Club squandered the chance to retain the top spot after suffering a 7-wicket defeat to Gazi Group Cricketers.

In the day’s other match, Prime Bank Cricket Club thrashed Legends of Rupganj by 173 runs. Meanwhile in the first match of the relegation league, Agrani Bank beat Dhaka Leopards by one wicket in a thrilling match at BKSP-4 ground today.

Opting to bat first, Abahani recovered from an early trouble to post a challenging 258-7 with captain Mosaddek Hossain leading from the front with 63. Mohammedan were restricted to 250-9 despite a valiant 88 from Mahdiul Islam Anakan.

This was Mohammedan’s first defeat after a six-match winning run in the group phase. But they seemed to go back to their old form after Shakib and other national players left the side for national commitment.

They had the chance to dominate Abahani when they reduced the old foes to 43-3, taking the wicket of inform Naim Sheikh, Anamul Haque Bijoy and Mahmudul Hasan Joy.

Jaker Ali Anik first came up with resistance and added 75-run with Afif Hossain who made 36 runs. Anik then shared another 49-run with Mosaddek before being out for 63 runs.

Mosaddek who struck three fours and as many sixes for his 70 ball-knock then guided the lower order astutely to help Abahani propel past 250-run mark. Khushdil Shah was the other notable scorer with 29.

Mushfik Hasan and Shuvagata Hom took two wickets apiece for Mohammedan which lost first three wickets for 12 runs.

Ankan and veteran Mahmudullah Riyad who made 54 then resisted but Abahani bowlers, led by captain Mosaddek made regular intervals to help the side win the game. Mosaddek ended with 4-54 while Tanzim Hasan Sakib grabbed 3-48.

Zakir Hasan and Shahadat Hossain Dipu hit a century as Prime Bank Cricket Club got off to a winning start in the DPL Super League phase with a mammoth 173-run victory over Legends of Rupganj at BKSP-3 ground

Zakir hit run-a-ball-106 with 13 boundaries in his first match in competitive cricket after recovering from the injury, which ruled him out of the home ODI series against Ireland in March.

His fellow opener Shahadat Hossain Dipu however struck 104 off 119 with 10 fours. Thanks to their century, Prime Bank, who was sent to bat first, compiled a hefty 330-6.

After Zakir and Dipu set the platform with 222-run for the opening stand, Al Amin Junior utilized it with a 27 ball-56.

Rupganj’s Chirga Jani was the peak of the bowler for his side with 3-39 while Abdul Halim took 2-72. Captain Mashrafe Bin Mortaza remained wicket-less after giving away 67 runs in his 9 overs.

Rupganj however was bowled out for 157 in 38.3 overs to taste the big defeat. Chirag Jani also was their top-scorer with 38 while Ashik Ul Alam made 36.

Mahedi Hasan, Rubel Hossin and Nasir Hossain picked up two wickets apiece for Prime Bank.

Medium pacer Jaynul Islam claimed 4-23 as Gazi Group Cricketers pulled off an upset, securing a seven-wicket win over defending Champions Sheikh Jamal Dhanmondi Club in their first game of the DPL Super League phase at Khan Shaheb Osman Ali Stadium.

Put into bat first, Sheikh Jamal, who finished the group phase, being on top of the point table, was bowled out for meager 89 in 33.2 overs as a little known Jaynul ripped through their batting line up in a gem of swing bowling display.

He was ably supported by left-arm spinner Tipu Sultan who snapped up 3-21 to further blow the mighty Jamal batting line up.

Opener Saif Hasan top-scored for the side with 22 while Fazle Mahmud made 20.

Gazi Group reached 92-3 in just 15.5 overs to record the victory in emphatic fashion with opener Mehedi Marud leading the charge with 45 off 55. He smote eight boundaries in his knock.