After a few days of uncertainty and controversy surrounding the Dhaka Premier League, Sheikh Jamal Dhanmondi Club confirmed the sixth and final spot of the Super League as they got the better of Brothers Union by 70 runs at Mirpur on Monday. The much-talked about rematch between Sheikh Jamal and Brothers was ordered by the Cricket Committee of Dhaka Metropolis on November 14 as the latter had played Sohrawardi Shuvo, who was banned for one match.
Sheikh Jamal had earlier finished below Brothers in the points table in seventh position with 10 points from their first phase games but Jamal claimed a place in the Super League at the expense of the Gopibagh outfit.
Sheikh Jamal asserted that Brothers had illegally fielded left-arm spinner Shuvo in the game on November 9 despite being given a one-game ban for inappropriate behaviour after the game against Abahani Limited on November 7.
Having been unable to find a solution, the CCDM ordered the rematch to determine which side will go through and join the already-qualified Gazi Tank Cricketers, Prime Doleshwar Sporting Club, Mohammedan Sporting Club, Prime Bank Cricket Club and Kalabagan Cricket Academy in the super league.
Sheikh Jamal finally became the sixth and final side to seal their place in the Super League, thanks to national cricketer Abdur Razzak’s all-round performance.
Electing to bat first after winning the toss, Sheikh Jamal posted 282-7 in their 50 overs.
The Dhanmondi-based outfit began their innings losing two early wickets – opener Junaid Siddique (0) and one-down Dilshan Munaweera (3).
Junaid’s opening partner Jahirul Islam (69 from 89 balls) initiated the rescue effort alongside national captain Mushfiqur Rahim (43 from 54 balls) with an 83-run third-wicket stand.
Australia’s Steven Crook (56 from 54 balls) picked up from where Mushfiq had left off as he joined Jahirul at the crease and put on a valuable 75 runs for the fourth wicket.
The stage was set for Zimbabwean all-rounder Elton Chigumbura and Razzak (39 from 18 balls) to finish their innings on a high and the eighth-wicket duo did just that, smashing 74 runs in the last five overs.
Brothers’ Alok Kapali (3-34), Iftekhar Sajjad (2-15) and Sanjamul Islam (2-54) shared seven wickets between them.
In reply, Brothers were dismissed for 212 in 46.4 overs. Nafees Iqbal top scored with 62 runs from 85 deliveries while Kapali chipped in with 45 from 61 balls.
Former Zimbabwe cricketer Sean Ervine’s 39-ball 34 at number eight was too little, too late as Brothers eventually fell 70 runs short of the target to miss out on a Super League place.
Razzak scalped 3-32 in 8.2 overs, including the important wickets of Kapali and Ervine, while Tanvir Haider (2-9) and Sri Lankan all-rounder Munaweera (2-38) shared four wickets between them.
Razzak was adjudged the man of the match.
BRIEF SCORES
Sheikh Jamal DC v Brothers Union
Sheikh Jamal 282-7 in 50 overs (J Islam 69, S Crook 56, E Chigumbura 50 not out , M Rahim 43, A Razzak 39 not out, A Kapali 3-34, I Sajjad 2-15, S Islam 2-54) v Brothers Union 212-all out in 46.2 overs (N Iqbal 62, A Kapali 45, S Ervine 34, A Razzak 3-32, T Haider 2-9, D Munaweera 2-38, S Crook 1-13, E Sunny 1-41)
Result: Sheikh Jamal won by 70 runs
M-O-M: Abdur Razzak (SJDC)
-With New Age input
