Old DOHS could have clinched the Dhaka Premier League title yesterday, but the
dramatic afternoon turned anti-climatic after they lost to Gazi Tank by 20 runs to keep the tide-race wide open.
Gazi Tank's win at the Fatullah Cricket Stadium pushed them to 20 points, level with second placed Victoria Sporting Club, whose shocking 66-run loss to Mohammedan Sporting Club opened up possibilities for Old DOHS to win it with a game in hand. Victoria should thank Gazi's efficient bowling attack, particularly the Pakistani leg-spinner Danish Kaneria, handsomely as it kept them in the race till Friday.
So it will be on the last day of matches in this prolonged domestic competition that a new champion will be crowned. DOHS remain on 22 points but if Victoria defeats them in Fatullah, it will be the Motijheel-based club that will be the champions. In another angle to the scenario, Gazi Tank could end up in second place if they can beat Sheikh Jamal Dhanmondi Club and Victoria beat DOHS. Otherwise, a win for DOHS would give them their third Premier League title.
Back to the day's action and it was all going according to the script but Mohammedan (213-8 in 50 overs) put the cat amongst the pigeons by bowling splendidly to shock a star-studded Victoria (147 all out in 41.3 overs) at the Shaheed Chandu Stadium. Away at the Narayanganj venue however, Old DOHS (239-8 in 50 overs) could not put the finishing
touches on Gazi Tank's total (259-6 in 50 overs), stuttering in the last few overs.
MOHAMMEDAN-VICTORIA
Syed Rasel breached Tamim Iqbal's defences off the fourth ball ofVictoria's 214-run chase to give Mohammedan an early lifeline. Two balls later, Sri Lankan left-arm paceman Chathura Peiris knocked off Saikat Ali.
Jahurul Islam, Soumya Sarkar and captain Shakib Al Hasan resurrected the innings somewhat when it literally imploded on their faces. From 72-3, Victoria slipped to 76 for seven threatening their title aspirations.
Sharifullah, a bits-and-pieces cricketer at best, kept Victoria on course through a 38-run eighth wicket stand with Mosharraf Hossain Rubel but they were soon bowled out for 147 runs with Peiris picking up four wickets.
Earlier a last-gasp unbeaten 49 off 30 balls from Noor Hossain Munna gave Mohammedan at least a respectable score against their richer neighbours. The No 9 batsman struck five boundaries and three sixes and put on a 65-run eighth wicket stand with Peiris.
GAZI TANK-OLD DOHS
Nasir Hossain was the hero for Gazi Tank after the national all-rounder hammered a century, his first of the season in club cricket.
During his score of 101, the right-hander struck seven boundaries in his 108-ball innings. He shared an important 152-run third wicket stand with Alok Kapali who made 76 off 112 balls, that had three sixes.
Nazmul Hossain Milon then struck his customary meaty blows, hammering two fours and sixes during a 29-ball 37. Hasan in the tenth over before Ziaur Rahman and their Indian recruit Uday Kaul gave them a sound base through a 105-run second wicket stand.
Ziaur was at his belligerent best, striking seven sixes and four boundaries in his 92-ball 79. His sixes count in this season of the Premier League stands at 29.
The left-handed Kaul kept it going for DOHS but when he fell in the 36th over with the team needing 101 more runs to win, it was down to form batsman Adnan Raza to get the job done.
Instead, he fell for 11 while South African Roelof van der Merwe was out for just 14 runs. From 183 forsix, skipper Faisal Hossain and Tanvir Haider tried to put the chase back on track but the pair never managed to up the ante. Eventually, DOHS needed 23 from the final over bowled by Alauddin Babu and the seamer bowled brilliantly, giving
away just two runs.
SCORES IN BRIEF
MOHAMMEDAN: 213-8 in 50 overs (Noor 49 not out, Imrul 45; Shakib 3-48).
VICTORIA: 147alloutin41.3 overs (Sharifullah 40, Soumya 32; Peiris 4-33).
Result: Mohammedan won by 66 runs.
GAZI TANK: 259-6 in 50 overs (Nasir 101, Kapali 76; Nabil 2-36).
OLD DOHS: 239-8 in 50 overs (Ziaur 79, Uday 51; Kaneria3-53).
Result: Gazi Tank won by 20 runs.