Mohammedan Sporting Club claimed the Dhaka Premier League title on Friday after a 16-year wait, with rain, Duckworth-Lewis calculations and a riveting day of batting combining to produce one of the most dramatic finales in the competition’s history.
The title was sealed not merely on their own pitch at BKSP Ground 3, but through events on the adjacent Ground 4, where Dhaka Leopards defeated Prime Bank Cricket Club by nine runs under the Duckworth-Lewis method. When that result was confirmed, Mohammedan’s players, coaches and officials, who had abandoned their own match to watch the neighbouring contest, erupted in celebration. They marched back to their ground in a wave of joy, the 16-year drought finally over.
It was the first DPL title for Mohammedan since 21 December 2009, and their first since the competition gained List A status. Three-time defending champions Abahani Limited, who had been chasing a record fourth consecutive title, were beaten by 63 runs under Duckworth-Lewis in the day’s centrepiece fixture.
The foundation for victory was laid in the morning session, when Anamul Haque Bijoy and Parvez Hossain Emon produced an exhibition of batting that will be remembered long after the trophy celebrations have faded. The pair put on 248 runs for the second wicket off 202 balls, just two short of the Bangladesh List A record partnership for that wicket.
Anamul, batting at number one, made 141 off 115 balls with 11 fours and nine sixes at a strike rate of 122.61. The innings brought up his 25th List A century, surpassing Tamim Iqbal’s record of 24 to become the leading century-maker among Bangladeshi batsmen in the format. He reached three figures off just 92 balls before eventually falling after a partnership that had broken the back of Abahani’s hopes.
Emon’s contribution was equally breathtaking. Coming in at number three, he struck 150 off 116 balls, hitting 10 fours and 12 sixes at a strike rate of 129.31. It was an innings of sustained ferocity, and his century came off 99 balls after being dropped earlier in his innings. When Emon fell for 150, the partnership worth 248 was broken, and Mohammedan had already built something formidable.
The carnage continued after their departure. Afif Hossain strode in at number four and plundered 61 off just 33 balls, striking six fours and four sixes. Anisul Islam then contributed an unbeaten 30 off 16 balls to help Mohammedan reach 406 for four from their 50 overs. It was the second-highest total in Bangladesh List A cricket history, behind only Prime Bank’s 422 against Brothers Union. It was also the highest total ever recorded in a Mohammedan-Abahani fixture, surpassing Abahani’s previous record of 390 built on centuries from Liton Das and India’s Dinesh Karthik on the same ground.
Abahani’s reply began poorly. Opener Sabbir Hossain fell in the sixth over for 19, caught behind off Taijul Islam, and Jisan Alam followed shortly after for five, taken by Mohammad Saifuddin at mid-off off Mushfik Hasan. Captain Mahidul Islam Ankon made only nine before being bowled by Taibur Rahman. At 79 for three, the chase was already slipping away.
Opener Anik Sarkar fought on with 85 off 64 balls, striking six fours and five sixes, and shared a partnership with Sabbir Rahman. But with Abahani on 178 for four after 24.4 overs, lightning forced a halt and the subsequent rain made resumption impossible. Mohammedan were declared winners by 63 runs under Duckworth-Lewis.
The final whistle prompted scenes of unbridled emotion. Players hoisted Mushfiqur Rahim onto their shoulders. Supporters draped themselves in black-and-white flags, blowing vuvuzelas and setting off flares. Saifuddin joined the festivities as the ground erupted. Sixteen years of frustration, of near-misses and heartbreak, dissolved into one roaring moment of joy.
