The Dhaka Premier League’ fate is set to be decided in the last round after Prime Dholeshwar defeated Kalabagan Cricket Academy by 15 runs and Gazi Tanks Cricketers lost to Mohammedan Sporting Club by 54 runs on Monday. Gazi were leading the points table before Monday’s fixtures, and a win coupled with a Doleshwar loss or tie would have sealed the title for them. Their loss and Doleshwar’s win left the teams level on 20 points, making their final-round match at the Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium on Wednesday a do-or-die affair.
In the other match of the day, Sheikh Jamal Dhanmondi Club beat Prime Bank by two wickets at Mirpur.
Gazi Tank Cricketers v Mohammedan SC
Gazi skipper Mahmudullah’s ton went in vain as English cricketer Samit Patel’s all-round performance helped Mohammedan beat Gazi Tank by 54 runs at the BKSP ground.
Patel scored 76 from 84 balls to help Mohammedan post a modest 268-6 and later grabbed three wickets to play a crucial role in dismissing the opposition for 214 in 42 overs.
Mohammedan were sent in to bat and stumbled to 58-2 when Patel joined Upul Tharanga, and together they put on 109 runs for the third wicket to build the platform of a respectable total.
The partnership was broken when Sri Lankan national cricketer Tharanga was run out on 68, but Samit kept his cool and hit seven fours and two sixes on his way to 76 before being bowled by Shaid.
Mashrafee bin Murtaza made a 15-ball 37, with six fours and one six, which helped Mohammedan cross 250 on the scoreboard.
Gazi were struggling at 7-3, but skipper Mahmudullah added 61 runs for the fourth wicket with Imrul Kayes (34) before the latter was removed by pace man Muktar Ali.
Mahmudullah, who made 106 from 125 balls, put up 65 runs with Ryan ten Doeschate (19) before the Netherlands’ star was out after a controversial decision by umpire Anisur Rahman.
Ten Doeschate made his ground but was still given run out, with the umpire taking no less than 20 seconds to make a decision that prompted Gazi to enter an official complaint against him.
Mahmudullah’s brave effort ended when Patel tempted him to play a shot only to be caught by Tharanga.
Prime Doleshwar SC v Kalabagan Cricket Academy
Though Gazi failed, their nearest rivals Doleshwar earned a 15-run victory over Kalabagan, restricting them to 272-8 after putting up 287- 7 on the back of Dawid Malan’s century.
Malan scored 123 runs from 120 balls and added a valuable 80 runs for the third wicket with Mominul Haque (45) after Doleshwar were struggling at 42-3 at one stage. Hamilton Masakadza picked 4-56 for Kalabagan.
Masakadza, fresh from his ton in the last match, continued to blaze with the bat and scored 69 runs from as many balls.
Masakadza and Marshal Ayub (67) added 123 runs for the third wicket before Sabbir Rahman caught him off his own bowling to break the partnership.
Skipper Sharif Ullah made 70 from 55 balls to raise some concern in the Doleshwar dressing room, but Taijul Islam bowled him to bring his side back into the game.
Prime Bank CC v Sheikh Jamal DC
Mushfiqur Rahim scored a brilliant half-century to help Jamal reach 260-8 in 49.3 overs after restricting Prime Bank to 256-6 at the Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium.
Ravi Bopara made 61, while Taiabur Parvez scored unbeaten 89 runs to give Prime Bank a decent score on the board.
Mushfiq score 82 off 74 balls to lead the chase and, with some contributions from the lower order, Jamal reached the target with three balls to spare.
BRIEF SCORES
Gazi Tank Cricketers v Mohammedan SC
Mohammedan SC 268-6 in 50 overs (S Patel 76, U Tharanga 62, M Mortuza 37, S Rahman 36, A Sunny 2-37) v Gazi Tank Cricketers 214 in 42 overs (Mahmudullah 106, I Kayes 36, S Patel 3-52, M Khan 2-26, D Hassan 2-31)
Result: Mohammedan SC won by 54 runs
Man-of-the-match: S Patel (MSC)
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Prime Doleshwar SC v Kalabagan Cricket Academy
Prime Doleshwar SC 287-7 in 50 overs (D Malan 123, M Haque 45, S Rumman 32, T Sampath 32, H Masakadza 4-56) v Kalabagan CA 272-8 in 50 overs (S Ullah 70, H Masakadza 69, M Ayub 67, S Rumman 2-43)
Result: Prime Doleshwar SC won by 15 runs
Man-of-the-match: D Malan (PDSC)
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Sheikh Jamal DC v Prime Bank CC
Prime Bank CC 256-6 in 50 overs (T Parvez 89, R Bopara 61, T Haider 2-14, S Roy 2-39) v Sheikh Jamal DC 260-8 in 49.3 overs (M Rahim 82, T Haider 33, J Islam 30, R Bopara 2-26, Z Rahman 2-46)
Result: Sheikh Jamal won by two wickets
Man-of-the-match: M Rahim (SJDC)
-With New Age input
