DPL round 2: Mohammedan sniff rare title but Abahani and Prime still in race

The Title Equation: Mohammedan’s Golden Opportunity

The Dhaka Premier Division Cricket League (DPL) is witnessing one of its most competitive seasons in recent history. High-spending Mohammedan Sporting Club (MSC) are currently leading the points table with only three rounds of matches remaining. In a departure from previous editions, there will be no Super League phase to determine the winner this year. This format adjustment puts Mohammedan in prime position to clinch their first DPL title in 17 years, provided they maintain their composure in the final weeks.

However, the road to glory is far from uncontested. Their traditional rivals and defending champions, Abahani Limited, are in hot pursuit. Abahani’s campaign suffered an early setback with two defeats in their opening matches, which could ultimately prove costly in a straight league format. Nevertheless, they have bounced back spectacularly with a six-match winning streak, keeping pressure on the leaders. Joining them in the chase is Prime Bank Cricket Club, who also sit on 12 points. Prime Bank currently occupies third place due to an inferior net run rate compared to Abahani, setting up a thrilling three-way tussle for the championship.

The Batting Heavyweights: Shahadat and Hridoy Lead the Charge

Individual batting performances have been a major highlight of the second phase. Prime Bank’s opening batsman Shahadat Hossain is on the verge of crossing the 500-run milestone, sitting comfortably at 491 runs after scoring his second century of the tournament this week. Close on his heels is Mohammedan’s crucial asset, Towhid Hridoy, who is carrying the bulk of his team’s championship aspirations. Hridoy has amassed 427 runs at an outstanding average of 71.16, including one century and three half-centuries. His stellar domestic form serves as an ideal warm-up ahead of Bangladesh’s upcoming One-Day International series against Australia.

Meanwhile, Agrani Bank’s Mahfijul Islam has also crossed the 400-run threshold, powered by two centuries. The tournament also witnessed a rare feat on Tuesday during Prime Bank’s commanding 155-run victory over Brothers Union. Openers Shahadat Hossain and Tanzid Hasan both struck centuries in the same innings. This marked only the seventh time in DPL history that both opening batsmen have scored centuries in a single match. Remarkably, Prime Bank openers have achieved this feat four times, with Shahadat being involved in three of those historic partnerships.

The Bowling Stars: Aliss and Rubel Spin a Web

On the bowling front, spin has dictated terms in the second phase of the tournament. Prime Bank’s mystery spinner Aliss Al Islam, who draws inspiration from West Indian star Sunil Narine, leads the wicket-taking charts with 22 dismissals. Aliss, who already registered a hat-trick earlier this season, continued his fine form with figures of 3 for 15 in his latest match against Brothers Union. He currently sits six wickets clear of his closest competitor, City Club’s pace bowler Abdul Gaffar Saqlain, who took an impressive 6 for 37 against Rupganj Tigers last month.

Another emerging force is Md Rubel, a mystery spinner playing in his debut DPL season for Gazi Group Cricketers. Rubel has taken 15 wickets at an exceptional average of 15.26. His standout performance came on Tuesday, where he dismantled Dhaka Leopards with figures of 6 for 23, proving himself to be one of the revelations of the season.

Match of the Phase: Agrani Bank’s Record Chase

The most exhilarating match of the recent round saw Agrani Bank complete a successful chase of 327 runs against City Club on Tuesday. This victory is crucial for Agrani Bank’s hopes of avoiding relegation for the upcoming season. Earlier in the day, Abdullah Al Mamun’s brilliant 151 had propelled City Club to a formidable total of 326 runs in their allotted 50 overs.

In response, Agrani Bank’s chase was anchored by Mahfijul Islam, who played a magnificent inning of 147 runs off 141 deliveries, punctuated by 12 boundaries and five sixes. Mahfijul established a robust 148-run opening stand with national team opener Shadman Islam, who contributed a solid 78. Despite Mahfijul falling with Agrani Bank still requiring 18 runs, the team held their nerve to secure the victory with just two balls to spare.

Relegation Concerns and Emerging Talents

While the top of the table remains highly competitive, the battle at the bottom is equally intense. Brothers Union, Rupganj Tigers, and Gulshan Cricket Club (GCC) are all struggling at the bottom of the table with just two points each. With at least two teams facing demotion for the next season, the pressure is immense. Among the bottom three, only Rupganj Tigers showed signs of competitive form in Tuesday’s fixtures. In contrast, Brothers Union and GCC, who occupy the lowest positions due to inferior net run rates, suffered heavy defeats.

Looking ahead, national selectors have plenty of talent to consider for the upcoming High Performance team fixtures against Zimbabwe A starting next week. Mystery spinners Aliss Al Islam and Md Rubel, along with aggressive opening batsman Habibur Rahman, are strong contenders for call-ups. Habibur particularly caught the attention of the selection committee at the Shere Bangla National Stadium, showcasing his boundary-clearing ability by hitting national pacer Nahid Rana for 26 runs in a single over, while also taking on seasoned campaigner Taskin Ahmed.