Mohammedan Sporting Club regained the top spot in the Dhaka Premier League after Prime Bank Cricket Club collapsed spectacularly to hand them a massive 82-run win at Mirpur on Wednesday. Replying to Mohammedan’s 224 all out, Prime Bank, who resumed the reserve day’s play at 41-1, seemed coasting when they reached 113-1 before they lost their last nine wickets for 29 runs to be dismissed for 142 in 32.4 overs.
Overnight batsmen Mehedi Maruf (48) and Sabbir Rahman (41) shared 72 runs for the second wicket to put Prime Bank in a strong position before they wasted it agonisingly.
Subashis Roy triggered the collapsed when he trapped Sabbir in front as other batsmen joined a procession to earn holders Prime Bank their fourth defeat in eight matches to put their title defense in tatters.
This was Mohammedan’s sixth win, which took them to top of the table ahead of Prime Doleshwar by virtue of better run rate. Mohammedan can be overtaken by Victoria Sporting Club and Legends of Rupganj, should they win their respective eighth round matches today.
Left-arm spinner Naeem Islam Jr was adjudged man-of-the-match for the third time in the league with 4-21 while Subashis (3-49) and Ariful Haque (2-27) also played their part in the rout.
Prime Bank must have cursed their luck as rain took the match into the reserve day, making it difficult for their batsmen to adjust to the two-paced pitch that remained under cover for the night.
‘The ball was skidding in the morning. Also there was some movement,’ said Naeem Islam Jr. ‘Arif Bhai and Subashis gave us three important breakthroughs and we, the spinners, did the rest.’
Naeem has been a revelation in the season, having taken 17 wickets in eight matches, which is only second to Prime Doleshwar’s Sri Lankan spinner Chamara de Silva ( 19 wickets).
A member of Bangladesh Under-19 World Cup squad in 2012, Naeem has seen many of his former team-mates have already turned into a national player, though he is apparently in no rush.
‘I am not thinking too much about national team at this stage,’ he said. ‘My only goal is to perform here now,’ said Naeem.
The 22-year old spinner was reported with suspect action after the second match of the league although he is confident he will come out clear.
‘My hand is naturally bent, so it appears I chuck but I don’t,’ he said. I was also reported in 2012 but I came out clear,’ said the Rajshahi-born cricketer.
Brief Scores
Mohammedan 224 in 49.2 overs (Nazmul 64, Habib 50, Manhas 35; Azim 3-40, Monir 2-33, Rubel 2-40) v Prime Bank 142 in 32.4 overs (Maruf 48, Sabbir 41; Naeem Islam Jr 4-21, Subashis 3-49, Arif 2-27)
Result: Mohammedan SC won by 82 runs.
Man of the match: Naeem Islam Jr (MSC)
-With New Age input
