Mushfiqur Rahim again led from the front in Sheikh Jamal Dhanmondi Club’s 127-run rout of Abahani during their Super League match of the Dhaka Premier

League at the BKSP yesterday.

The 23-year-old fell just ten runs short of a fifth century when he was caught behind for 90, as his side made 251 runs in 49.3 overs. Later, he plotted Abahani's downfall by bowling them out for just 124 runs in 37.4 overs.

Mushfiqur came to the crease with his side on 35-2 in the tenth over. Mehrab Hossain Jr fell at the other end and from 35 for three, the skipper added 155 runs for the fourth wicket with Mahmudul Hasan, who made 70 off 86 balls. The national skipper's 90 came off 94 balls with the help of two sixes and four boundaries.

Abul Hasan, included in the Bangladesh squad for the Zimbabwe tour later this month, took four wickets.

When Abahani chased the 252-run target, they lost openers Fazle Rabbi and Anamaul Haque to Tapash Baisya by the fifth over. Medium-pacer Rubayat Haq then picked up three wickets while off-spinner Mahmudul took two more as Abahani slipped to a new low.

There was one slightly sour note for the Mushfiqur who was fined Tk 10,000 by the match referee following an outburst on an umpire while he was keeping wickets.

The defending champions are now in sixth place, bottom

of the Super League and will take on arch-rivals Mohammedan Sporting Club in an inconsequential encounter in Bogra on Friday. SCORES IN BRIEF SHEIKH JAMAL: 251 all out in 49.3 overs (Mushfiqur 90, Mahmudu!70; Hasan4-46). ABAHANI: 124 all out in 37.4 overs (Hossain 26, Reza 20; Rubayat3-22)

Result: Sheikh Jamal Dhanmondi Club won by 127 runs.