Defending champions Prime Bank Cricket Club and title aspirants Abahani Limited will lock-horns in their penultimate round match of Dhaka Premier League today at BKSP to keep their Super League hopes intact. Both the teams were touted as prospective champions prior to the league but after nine rounds they found themselves at odd having lost four matches each that made even their Super League berth uncertain.
With nine teams separated by four points, no team can afford a slip which made this a do-or-die battle for both sides.
Abahani will take inspiration from their win in the previous two matches against Prime Doleshwar and Gazi Group Cricketers that brought their campaign back on track after defeat in the preceding three matches.
The Dhanmondi-based side also strengthened their side by including Indian power-hitter Yusuf Pathan, who joined his Kolkata Knight Riders team-mates Sakib al Hasan, as their fifth overseas player of the season.
Abahani coach Khaled Mahmud seemed very confident on Tuesday.
‘The win in the last match was important for us, said Mahmud adding ‘We want to keep that flow but we must do it with more authority.
‘Everyone knows what Yusuf Pathan can do and slowly but surely our team is regrouping as a unit. ‘
Prime coach Abdul Karim was also confident of his team’s win as he thought the opponents will give them some chances and they have to utilise them.
‘Abahani is a strong team, but they ought to give us some chances that we must utilise,’ said the coach.
In another match of the day, two bottom sides Cricket Coaching School and Kalabagan Cricket Academy will make a fierce relegation battle at Fatullah.
CCS, who have four points against Academy’s two, will be confident after their win against Mohammedan Sporting Club in their last match at the very ground but Academy will be keen as defeat will mean all but relegation for them.
The other game of the day, another crucial encounter for Super League qualification, will be held at Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium between Doleshwar and Gazi.
Doleshwar are on the second position with 12 points but they have to get back in the winning path after their defeat against Abahani in the last game that already made their journey difficult.
On the other hand Gazi, who have 10 points, must need to win their remaining two matches including this match to keep their Super League hopes alive.
-With New Age input
