Mohammedan Sporting Club moved to the top of the Dhaka Premier Division Cricket League table on Saturday after a crushing 237-run victory over Gulshan Cricket Club, while Prime Bank suffered back-to-back defeats to slide to fourth place. Five centuries lit up a high-scoring day across six venues, with Najmul Hossain Shanto, Irfan Shukkur, Fazle Mahmud Rabby, Mohammad Enamul and Mohammad Abdullah all reaching three figures. Taijul Islam and Enamul Haque Ashik claimed five-wicket hauls as the tournament took a break before resuming after Eid.
Mohammedan posted 345 for 9 at BKSP Ground Four, built on half-centuries from Towhid Hridoy, who made 86 off 77 balls, Mushfiqur Rahim with 72 off 62 and Afif Hossain contributing 55. Gulshan could manage only 108 in reply, Taijul tearing through the batting with figures of 5 for 26 from 9.2 overs to earn the player of the match award. Islamul Ahsan Abir top-scored for Gulshan with a modest 25.
Abahani Limited cemented second place with a dominant nine-wicket win over Agrani Bank Cricket Club at the ULAB Cricket Ground. Agrani Bank were bowled out for 178 in 42.1 overs, Nasir Hossain fighting a lone battle with 56 off 58 balls while wickets fell around him. Mosaddek Hossain, Rohanat Doullah Barshon, Rakibul Hasan and Mahfuzur Rahman Rabby all took two wickets each, with Khaled Ahmed the most economical, claiming two for 21 from eight overs.
Shanto, returning from the Pakistan Test series, carried his form straight into List A cricket with a magnificent unbeaten 108 off 90 balls, striking seven fours and seven sixes. He shared an unbroken 171-run second-wicket partnership with Mahidul Islam Ankon, who finished on 56 not out, as Abahani chased 179 in 31.4 overs. It was the 15th century of Shanto’s List A career and his second in consecutive outings across formats.
Legends of Rupganj climbed to third with a seven-wicket victory over Gazi Group Cricketers at the Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium in Mirpur. Gazi Group posted 210, with Sabbir Hossain contributing 79. Shukkur then produced a devastating display, smashing 127 off just 75 balls with 18 fours and five sixes to seal the chase in 32.2 overs with 106 balls to spare. It was the fourth century of his List A career and the most destructive innings of the day.
At BKSP Ground Three, Bashundhara Strikers edged Brothers Union by seven runs in the day’s most tightly contested match. Rabby anchored Bashundhara’s innings with a magnificent 132 off 113 balls before retiring hurt, helping the side post 324 for 5. Brothers Union came close, finishing on 317 for 9 from their full allocation, with Shahriar Komol making 69 and Shariful Islam contributing 52, but could not quite get over the line.
At BKSP, City Club ended Prime Bank’s run at the top with a 19-run victory. Mohammad Enamul struck an unbeaten 103 off 97 balls, with six fours and five sixes, while opener Sadikur Rahman added 58 as City Club posted 266 for 7. Prime Bank’s resistance came largely from Azizul Hakim Tamim’s 95, but the rest of the batting failed to support him and they finished on 247. Enamul Haque Ashik took a career-best 5 for 41, the first five-wicket haul of his career, to seal a memorable day for City Club.
At the Bashundhara Sports Complex, Dhaka Leopards beat Rupganj Tigers by 30 runs in a match reduced to 45 overs. Iftekhar Hossain Ifti top-scored with 91 and captain Mohammad Mithun made 71, with Moin Khan remaining unbeaten on 69 as Leopards posted 276 for 5. Mohammad Abdullah scored exactly 100 for Rupganj Tigers, with Mukhtar Ali adding 57 and Kalam Siddiqui Alin contributing 52, but they could only reach 246 for 5, handing Leopards the win.
The standings before the Eid break: Mohammedan lead at the top, with Abahani second and Legends of Rupganj third. Prime Bank have slipped to fourth following their two successive defeats. The final four rounds will be played after the holiday.
