DPL round 2: Mohammedan sniff rare title but Abahani and Prime still in race

The State of Play in the Dhaka Premier Division Cricket League

With eight rounds of the Dhaka Premier Division Cricket League (DPL) wrapping up on June 2, the competition has reached a boiling point. All 12 participating teams have now played eight matches each, completing a highly competitive second phase of 24 games. The tournament structure this season presents a unique challenge, as there is no Super League phase scheduled to determine the champion. Consequently, every single round-robin match carries immense weight, and the margin for error is virtually non-existent for the title contenders.

Key Takeaways: Abahani and Prime Bank Chase Mohammedan

Currently, the high-spending Mohammedan Sporting Club (MSC) sits proudly at the top of the points table with just three rounds of matches remaining in the league. For Mohammedan, the stakes could not be higher. Lacking a post-season Super League, their current pole position puts them in prime territory to clinch their first DPL title in 17 years. This potential triumph would break a nearly two-decade-long drought and restore the historic club to the pinnacle of domestic cricket.

However, the road to glory is far from uncontested. Their traditional cross-town rivals and defending champions, Abahani Limited, are in hot pursuit. Abahani’s campaign got off to a rocky start with two consecutive defeats, a setback that could ultimately cost them the championship. Nevertheless, they have mounted an impressive comeback, embarking on a six-match winning streak that has kept them firmly in the hunt. Alongside them is Prime Bank Cricket Club, who also sit on 12 points. Although Prime Bank matches Abahani’s points tally, they currently occupy third place on the table due to an inferior net run rate. Both teams remain poised to capitalize on any slip-up by the league leaders.

Leading the Charge: The Best Batters of the Tournament

The batting charts this season feature some extraordinary individual performances. Prime Bank’s Shahadat Hossain has been in sublime touch, nearing the 500-run milestone. Following his second century of the week, Shahadat now sits on 491 runs, anchoring his team’s top order with maturity and poise. Not far behind is Mohammedan’s young sensation, Towhid Hridoy, who is carrying the weight of his team’s championship aspirations. Hridoy has amassed 427 runs at an incredible average of 71.16, including one century and three half-centuries. His stellar run of form serves as a perfect warm-up for Bangladesh’s upcoming One-Day Internationals (ODIs) against Australia.

Another batsman making waves is Agrani Bank’s Mahfijul Islam, who has also breached the 400-run barrier, scoring two centuries along the way. The tournament also witnessed a historic batting display on Tuesday when Prime Bank’s openers, Shahadat Hossain and Tanzid Hasan, both registered centuries in a commanding 155-run victory over Brothers Union. This marked only the seventh time in DPL history that both opening batsmen scored hundreds in the same innings. Remarkably, Prime Bank openers have achieved this feat four times, with Shahadat himself being involved in three of those memorable partnerships.

Mastering the Ball: Aliss and Rubel Lead the Bowling Charts

On the bowling front, spin has dominated the narrative. Prime Bank’s Aliss Al Islam, a mystery spinner heavily inspired by the legendary Sunil Narine, leads the wicket-taking charts with 22 scalps. Aliss is currently six wickets ahead of his closest competitor, City Club’s Abdul Gaffar Saqlain. Having already claimed a hat-trick earlier this season, Aliss continued his dominant form by taking 3 for 15 against Brothers Union in his most recent outing. Meanwhile, pace bowler Saqlain has also had standout moments, including a brilliant haul of 6 for 37 against Rupganj Tigers last month.

Another young mystery spinner turning heads in his debut DPL season is Md Rubel, representing Gazi Group Cricketers. Rubel has taken 15 wickets at an impressive average of 15.26. His finest performance came on Tuesday, where he ripped through the opposition to record outstanding figures of 6 for 23 against Dhaka Leopards. The emergence of these mystery spinners has added a fascinating tactical layer to the tournament.

The Match of the Season: Agrani Bank’s Record Chase

Among the many thrilling encounters, Agrani Bank’s successful chase of 327 against City Club stands out as the match of the season. This crucial victory will go a long way in ensuring Agrani Bank avoids relegation and remains afloat in the top division next season. City Club had set a formidable target of 326 in their 50 overs, largely thanks to an extraordinary innings of 151 from Abdullah Al Mamun.

In response, Agrani Bank mounted a sensational run chase led by Mahfijul Islam. Mahfijul played a masterful knock of 147 off 141 deliveries, smashing 12 boundaries and five sixes. He laid a solid foundation with a 148-run opening partnership alongside Shadman Islam, who contributed a solid 78. Although Mahfijul was dismissed when Agrani was still 18 runs short of the target, his team held their nerve to cross the finish line with just two balls to spare, completing one of the most memorable chases in recent DPL history.

Relegation Concerns and Players to Watch

While the top of the table is fiercely contested, a grim battle for survival is unfolding at the bottom. Brothers Union, Rupganj Tigers, and Gulshan Cricket Club (GCC) are all languishing at the bottom with just two points each. With at least two teams facing demotion to the lower division for next season, the pressure is immense. Of the three, only Rupganj Tigers showed signs of fight in the latest round of matches on Tuesday. Conversely, Brothers Union and GCC, who sit at the absolute bottom due to poor net run rates, suffered heavy defeats, worsening their chances of survival.

On a brighter note, national selectors have plenty of talent to monitor. Outstanding performers like mystery spinners Aliss Al Islam and Md Rubel, alongside explosive opening batsman Habibur Rahman, are highly tipped for call-ups to the High Performance squad. This squad is scheduled to play against Zimbabwe A starting next week. Habibur, in particular, caught the eye of the selection committee with his fearless aggression at the Shere Bangla National Stadium, where he took apart premier bowlers, including hitting rising pace prospect Nahid Rana for 26 runs in a single over, and putting Taskin Ahmed under pressure.