DPL round 2: Mohammedan sniff rare title but Abahani and Prime still in race
The Title Race Heats Up
The Dhaka Premier Division Cricket League (DPL) has reached a fascinating stage as the competition nears its conclusion. With eight rounds of matches now officially in the books as of June 2, all 12 participating teams have completed eight fixtures each. As we move past the second phase of 24 games this season, the landscape of the tournament is becoming increasingly clear. With no Super League scheduled to decide the ultimate winner this year, the pressure is mounting on the frontrunners to maintain consistency until the final ball is bowled.
Mohammedan’s Long-Awaited Dream
High-spending Mohammedan Sporting Club (MSC) currently occupies the top spot on the points table. With only three rounds of matches remaining, they are in a prime position to secure their first DPL title in 17 years. The club’s performance has been nothing short of clinical, turning heads and establishing themselves as the team to beat in this current campaign.
The Chasers: Abahani and Prime Bank
Despite MSC’s dominance, they are far from comfortable. Their cross-town rivals, the defending champions Abahani Limited, are in hot pursuit. Abahani’s campaign began with a stutter, suffering two consecutive defeats that could ultimately prove costly. However, their resurgence has been remarkable; a six-match winning streak has catapulted them right back into title contention. Alongside them, Prime Bank Cricket Club remains a potent threat. Sitting on 12 points like Abahani, Prime Bank is currently third due to a slightly inferior net run rate, but they remain very much in the hunt for the trophy.
Batting Brilliance: The Standouts
The individual performances this season have been electrifying. Prime Bank’s Shahadat Hossain has been a standout performer, currently boasting 491 runs and nearing the coveted 500-run milestone. His consistency has been rewarded with two centuries in the competition so far. Not far behind him is Mohammedan’s own Towhid Hridoy, who is serving as the heartbeat of their championship charge. Hridoy has amassed 427 runs at an impressive average of 71.16, including one century and three fifties, providing a perfect warm-up for Bangladesh’s upcoming ODIs against Australia.
Furthermore, Agrani Bank’s Mahfijul Islam has also crossed the 400-run threshold, recording two centuries this season. A notable moment occurred on Tuesday when Prime Bank openers Shahadat and Tanzid Hasan both struck centuries in a dominant 155-run victory over Brothers Union. It was the seventh instance of two openers scoring hundreds in the same DPL match, with Prime Bank openers achieving this feat an incredible four times, three of which involved Shahadat.
Bowling Mastery: Spin and Pace
On the bowling front, Prime Bank’s Aliss Al Islam has established himself as the premier threat. Often compared to Sunil Narine, the mystery spinner has claimed 22 wickets, distancing himself by six wickets from his nearest rival, City Club’s Abdul Gaffar Saqlain. Aliss continues to impress, recently taking 3 for 15 against Brothers Union. Not to be outdone, pace bowler Saqlain impressed earlier with a 6 for 37 haul against the Rupganj Tigers.
Another name rising through the ranks is Gazi Group Cricketers’ Md Rubel. In his debut DPL season, he has already captured 15 wickets at an average of 15.26, highlighted by a stellar 6 for 23 performance against the Dhaka Leopards.
Match of the Season
The most exhilarating encounter took place on Tuesday, as Agrani Bank successfully chased down a daunting target of 327 against City Club. Abdullah Al Mamun’s brilliant 151 laid the foundation for City’s total of 326. However, Mahfijul Islam responded with a masterclass for Agrani, scoring 147 off 141 balls. Supported by an opening stand of 148 with Shadman Islam, who contributed 78, Agrani clinched a nail-biting victory with only two balls to spare.
The Relegation Battle and Future Stars
While the top teams fight for the crown, the struggle at the bottom is equally intense. Brothers Union, Rupganj Tigers, and Gulshan Cricket Club (GCC) are all tied at two points. With two of these clubs facing potential relegation, the pressure is immense. Only the Tigers showed signs of life in the latest round of matches, while Brothers and GCC struggled significantly.
Looking ahead, the selectors have plenty to observe. Mystery spinners Aliss and Rubel, alongside the aggressive Habibur Rahman, are strong contenders for High Performance team call-ups against Zimbabwe A. Habibur’s fearless approach, particularly his ability to take down international bowlers like Taskin Ahmed and Nahid Rana for 26 runs in a single over, suggests a bright future for the young talent.
