A day that produced three remarkable centuries from Mushfiqur Rahim, Towhid Hridoy and Irfan Sukkur was ultimately stolen by the weather. After a sweltering morning across Dhaka, heavy rain and thunderstorms swept in around midday, bringing the ninth round of the Dhaka Premier League to a near-complete halt. Five of the six scheduled matches have been carried over to Saturday as reserve day fixtures, with each game to resume from exactly the point at which play was abandoned. The sixth match required no play at all, after Brothers Union’s players boycotted their fixture against Agrani Bank over unpaid wages, handing their opponents a walkover and confirming their own relegation from the top flight.
Brothers Union relegated after players refuse to take the field
Brothers Union Cricket Club have been relegated from the Dhaka Premier League after their players boycotted Friday’s fixture against Agrani Bank over months of unpaid wages, handing their opponents a walkover. Although the squad arrived at the venue, no player emerged for the warm-up, and when the match referee granted an additional ten minutes for the toss, there was still no response from the Brothers Union camp.
A source within the team management said players had been warning the club throughout the season. “We were supposed to receive 20 per cent of our payment upon signing, but that never happened. We had warned them we would not continue beyond nine matches unless we were paid. On Friday, not a single club official showed up, and they also failed to provide copies of our signed contracts.” On Thursday, club representatives had appeared and handed over some money, but the source said it was not even enough to cover travel expenses. Several players were also unable to afford Qurbani during Eid-ul-Azha due to the unpaid dues.
Payment disputes have dogged the club for the better part of fifteen years. Having won just one of their nine matches this season, Brothers Union finish bottom of the twelve-team table and will compete in First Division cricket next season.
Mushfiqur and Hridoy centuries put Mohammedan in command against Gazi Group
Mohammedan Sporting Club posted 333 for 4 from their allotted 42 overs at BKSP Ground 2, powered by destructive centuries from Towhid Hridoy and Mushfiqur Rahim. Captain Hridoy won the toss and elected to bat, a decision vindicated immediately by openers Anamul Haque Bijoy and Naim Sheikh, who put on 107 for the first wicket. Naim departed for 53 off 60 balls before the total reached 150.
What followed was a partnership of controlled aggression. Mushfiqur and Hridoy added 173 together, dismantling the Gazi Group bowling attack and putting the match effectively beyond reach. Mushfiqur reached his century off just 55 balls, striking 8 fours and 6 sixes, before being dismissed for exactly 100 with the team on 316. Hridoy remained unbeaten on 101 off 66 balls, his innings equally laced with 8 fours and 6 sixes.
Gazi Group’s revised DLS target was set at 335 in 42 overs. They were 41 for 2 when rain arrived and will resume their chase on Saturday needing a further 294 from the remaining overs.
Irfan Sukkur century not enough as rain halts Abahani’s chase against Legends of Rupganj
At BKSP Ground 3, Legends of Rupganj batted first and were bowled out for 275. Irfan Sukkur was the standout performer with 119 off 99 balls, while Mehedi Hasan Miraz contributed 72. Sukkur’s knock was just short of the career-best 127 off 75 balls he had scored in the previous round before Eid.
Rain prevented Abahani from starting their chase on time. When play resumed, their target was revised under the DLS method to 163 in 20 overs. The current champions made a positive start, reaching 51 for 1 from 6 overs, before rain returned to end the day. The match resumes on Saturday.
Bashundhara Strikers in control against Dhaka Leopards before the rain arrives
At the ULAB Ground, Bashundhara Strikers were progressing comfortably at 106 for 2 from 27.5 overs when rain halted play. Saif Hassan was unbeaten on 54 off 87 balls and Nurul Hasan Sohan on 40 not out. As no revised target had been set at the time of abandonment, the full 50-over match will resume from where it left off on Saturday.
City Club in deep trouble against Gulshan after horror collapse
At the Bashundhara Sports Complex, Gulshan Cricket Club batted first and were bowled out for 201, with captain Shahadat Hossain Sabuj run out for 90. City Club’s revised DLS target was 204 in 46 overs, but they collapsed alarmingly in the overs that were possible, slumping to 42 for 7 from 12. They face an almost impossible task when play resumes on Saturday.
Prime Bank vs Rupganj Tigers abandoned after just 17 overs
At the Cricketers Academy, only 17 overs were bowled before rain and fading light brought an early end to proceedings. Prime Bank had reached 75 for 1 and will resume their innings on Saturday.
