Shamsur Rahman inspired Mohammedan Sporting Club to a thrilling three-wicket win over arch-rivals Abahani Limited in a pulsating Dhaka Premier League derby that went right down to the wire at the Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium on Sunday.
Requiring one run to win off one delivery, Mohammedan’s Muktar Ali stroked the winning run off Alauddin Babu, scampering to the non-striking end to spark wild celebrations in the dugout.
Chasing Abahani’s competitive 282-all out in 49.5 overs, Shamsur led the chase remarkably for Mohammedan, blasting a crucial hundred under pressure as the Motijheel outfit finished on 283-7 in 50 overs.
Mohammedan were in early trouble after losing the wickets of opener Jupiter Ghosh (five) and Sri Lankan batsman Upul Tharanga (11) inside the ninth over. It was then left to Shamsur and Sri Lanka’s Tillakaratne Dilshan to steady the ship.
Dilshan, who struck a fine 51 off 41 balls, perished soon after just when he was looking threatening as he presented an easy catch to Babu at backward point off Nabil Samad with the score reading 76-3 in the 14th over.
The match was delicately poised when Rajin Saleh (21) departed, bringing the in-form Afghan all-rounder Mohammad Nabi to the crease.
Shamsur kept on chipping in singles at the other end while Nabi (47 off 45 balls) was his customary attacking self, striking three fours and two sixes during his stay. Together, the fifth-wicket pair put on 87 runs which appeared to be enough to guide Mohammedan home.
Nabi continued his prolific touch in this season’s
Dhaka Premier League as he is currently the third highest run-scorer with 193 runs from three matches.
Shamsur on the other end reached his fifty in the 33rd over as Mohammedan were poised to see off their target with ease.
The 25-year old lad from Comilla smashed eight boundaries and two sixes en route to his unbeaten ton, which will do his chances of claiming a place in the national squad for the upcoming home series against New Zealand a world of good.
When Nabi was dismissed, Mohammedan captain Mashrafee bin Murtaza elevated himself up the batting order and struck some lusty blows that took his side closer to victory.
A couple of quick wickets again brought Abahani back into the game as Mashrafee (18 off 12 balls) and Dhiman Ghosh (one) fell in quick succession.
However, Shamsur, who reached his hundred in the 48th over, and Muktar (16 off 19 balls) ensured there would be no more hiccups to steer Mohammedan home.
A sparse crowd of about 3000 people looked on as five runs were required off the final over bowled by Babu with Muktar in strike. Muktar failed to score from the first two deliveries before he struck a boundary off the third ball. The fourth and fifth deliveries were dot balls as nerves began to creep in both quarters.
Muktar, though, made sure Mohammedan had the final laugh over their eternal foes as he dabbed at the final delivery bowled in the trajectory of the off-stump to secure the table-topping Mohammedan’s third straight victory.
Earlier, electing to bat first after losing the toss, Abahani posted 282-7, with leading run-scorer Mosaddek Hossain showing the way with a 67-ball 76. Tharanga Paranavitana (61 off 91 balls) provided able support to Mosaddek, who has 215 runs in three matches.
Mashrafee was among the wickets, scalping 4-40 in 10 overs, a display that will provide the national paceman encouragement ahead of next month’s home series against the Black Caps.
Shamsur was adjudged the man of the match for his unbeaten 105 off 115 balls.
BRIEF SCORES
Abahani Limited v Mohammedan SC
Abahani Ltd 282 in 49.5 overs (M Hossain 76, T Paranavitana 61, T Kandambi 49, Indika de Saram 33; M Murtaza 4-40, M Ali 3-46, M Nabi 2-40) v Mohammedan SC 283-7 in 50 overs (S Rahman 105 not out, T Dilshan 51, M Nabi 47, R Saleh 21; N Samad 3-54, Al-Amin 2-51).
Result: Mohammedan SC won by 3 wickets.
Man of the match: S Rahman (MSC).
***
Kalabagan CA v Khelaghar SKS
Khelaghar SKS 162 in 48.3 overs (M Iftekhar 34 not out, F Hossain 34; H Masakadza 2-22, S Raza 2-22, N Apu 2-33) v Kalabagan CA 164-7 in 47.4 overs (M Ayub 63, S Raza 27, M Rahman 26; F Hossain 5-23).
Result: Kalabagan CA won by 3 wickets.
Man of the match: F Hossain (KSKS).
***
Skeikh Jamal DC v Prime Doleshwar SC
Sheikh Jamal DC 93 in 29 overs (J Siddique 26, J Islam 25; T Islam 6-19, S Gazi 2-16, H Fernando 2-29) v Prime Doleshwar 94-3 in 22.3 overs (M Haque 37 not out, T Sampath 18, R Shiwanka Silva 17 not out; A Razzak 2-39).
Result: Prime Doleshwar won by 7 wickets.
Man of the match: T Islam (PDSC).
-With New Age input
