Dhaka Leopards made a powerful statement on the opening day of the Dhaka Premier League (DPL), defeating defending champions Abahani by five wickets at Bashundhara Sports Complex to send an early warning to the rest of the field.
Abahani’s batting display was a frustrating mix of promising starts and missed opportunities. Soumya Sarkar failed to get off the mark, and although Jishan Alam and Jaker Ali Anik each got starts, neither could convert into a substantial innings. Mahidul Islam Ankon, SM Meherob and Mosaddek Hossain Saikat also squandered good positions, leaving Abahani dependent on late hitting to post a competitive total.
It was Sabbir Rahman who rescued his side, blazing an unbeaten 55 off just 29 balls with five sixes and two fours to drag Abahani to 181 for 8 from their 30 overs. Ankon and Meherob each contributed 38, and Mosaddek added 17, but without Sabbir’s late assault the total would have been considerably more modest. Moin Khan took three wickets for Leopards and Al Fahad claimed two.
Leopards began their chase with intent. Zakir Hasan and Jawad Abrar gave the side an assured platform at the top, before Meherob dismissed Jawad for 23 off 18 balls in the sixth over, caught by Jaker.
Zakir continued to anchor the innings, adding a 50-run partnership with Saikat Ali, who made 28 before being caught by Soumya off Mosaddek’s bowling. What followed was the decisive phase of the match, as Zakir and Mohammad Mithun constructed a commanding 73-run partnership that effectively settled the contest.
Zakir brought up his half-century off 48 balls and looked set for a century before departing for a well-made 74 off 66 balls, an innings that included six fours and three sixes. Mithun contributed a composed 37 before falling with just nine runs required. Any lingering doubt was removed in the final over when Alauddin Babu hit a boundary to seal a comfortable victory and get Leopards’ campaign off to the perfect start.
