In an agonisingly one-sided contest, which lacked the thrill of a derby match, Mohammedan Sporting Club thrashed its one time arch-rivals Abahani Limited by eight wickets to retain the top spot of points table in the Dhaka Premier League on Thursday. Pace bowler Subhashish Roy appeared to be the unlikely hero for Mohammedan, who defended heavily on their spinners, as he picked up three vital wickets for 34 runs to set up the win at the Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium.
Abahani, who also failed to cope up with challenge of facing Mohammedan spinners, were bowled out cheaply for 182 runs that proved to be too little to win a game against an opponent running high with confidence.
Mohammedan cantered past the score to reach 185-2 from 43.5 despite a snail-paced innings of Naeem Islam (25 off 59 balls), who unnecessarily defended lot of balls to pour some cold water to the already damp contest.
In-form Upal Tharanga scored undefeated half century, 77 off 105 balls, which orchestrated the win for Mohammedan, who raised their tally to 10 points from six matches.
Abahani bowlers could hardly put any pressure on their counterparts after coming to defend the lowly total as the wicket was conducive for batting for those who took some time before picking up the tempo.
Abahani batsmen, however, were unable to adjust as they dragged them to trouble for playing some rusty shots early in their innings which left them at one stage on 15-3.
Abahani were put into trouble in the very first over when Subhashish’s fuller length ball outside the off-stump was nicked by opener Tamim Iqbal to Shykat Ali at second slip.
Soon they were pushed into further misery when off-spinner Habibur Rahman dismissed Liton Das and Avishek Mitra in the span of two balls.
Manvinder Bisla (23) and Nazmul Hossain tried to resurrect their innings by adding 47 runs for the fourth wicket before the pair was broken by off-spinner Naeem when the former was caught behind by Mushfiqur Rahim.
Abahani was expecting a turnaround when their two in-form batsmen Nazmul Hossain and Mossadek Hossain joined together in the middle and they were looking comfortable against MSC spinners putting 37 runs.
Subhahish removed dangerous looking Nazmul for highest 42 runs before two further wickets in quick succession made the prospect of Abahani being bundled out for less than 150 runs.
However, Abul Hasan (28) and Taskin Ahmed (38 not out) spared their bushes adding 51 runs for the eighth wicket, though it was too little an effort which came too late.
Man of the match Subhashish said that their plan of not taking any extra pressure proved to be dividend.
‘Our coach and captain said not to take any pressure and just enjoy the match,’ said Subhashish.
‘We did that and it just paid off. I just tried to bowl in the right areas and got the reward eventually,’ he said.
MSC opener Shykat (19) left retired hurt due to wrist injury immediately after pace bowler Taskin Ahmed’s loud appeal was turned down by umpire.
Tharanga and Ezaz Ahmed (42) took the score to 97 runs before Abahani finally got a breakthrough. Mushfiqur Rahim made a brisk 17 off 18 balls before Tharanga, who hit seven fours in this fourth fifty of the league, was joined by Naeem for a 69-run partnership, which came off 19 overs to test the patience of everyone present at the ground.
Abahani captain Tamim rued their performance, which made their position in Super League uncertain.
‘I think we cannot lose in this manner,’ said Tamim. ‘If we play like this way we won’t be going far,’ he said.
Brief Scores
Abahani Limited 183 in 48.4 overs (Nazmul 42, Taskin 38 not out; Subhashis 3-34, Habibur 2-30, Naeem Islam jnr 2-30) v Mohammedan SC 185-2 in 43.5 overs (Tharanga 77 not out, Ezaz 42)
Result: Mohammedan SC won by 8 wickets.
Man of the match: Subhashis Roy (MSC)
-With New Age input
