SPORTS REPORTER

Mohammedan Sporting Club lost their grip on the Dhaka Premier Division Cricket League (DPL) title race after a five-wicket defeat to Dhaka Leopards at BKSP-3 yesterday.

Having led the standings for much of the season, Mohammedan must now beat Abahani Limited in Thursday’s final matchday and hope Leopards defeat Prime Bank Cricket Club -- only scenario in which they can claim their first DPL title since 2009-10.

Mohammedan’s defeat boosted Abahani’s title hopes considerably. With Abahani, Mohammedan and Prime Bank all level on 16 points after 10 rounds, Abahani strengthened position with a 12-run win over Gazi Group Cricketers at BKSP-4.

Abahani now need only to beat Mohammedan to secure a fourth consecutive title, having already defeated Prime Bank earlier in the season.

Prime Bank, meanwhile, remain in contention after an 18-run victory over Bashundhara Strikers at PKSP. They must beat Leopards and hope Mohammedan defeat Abahani. In that case, Prime Bank would lift their first title since 2014-15 thanks to a superior head-to-head record against Mohammedan.

Mohammedan’s defeat was the biggest upset of the penultimate round, caused largely by the failure of their star-studded batting lineup. Apart from Mushfiqur Rahim’s 68 off 80 balls, none of their batters made a notable contribution as they were restricted to 225 for eight after asked to bat.

Leopards chased the target in just 34.3 overs, powered by Mominul Haque’s unbeaten 93 off 77 balls and Zawad Abrar’s explosive 66 off 34 deliveries, featuring five fours and six sixes.

At the adjacent venue, Abahani were bowled out for 221 in 48.3 overs, with Mahidul Islam Ankon top-scoring with 66.

Their bowlers then bundled out Gazi Group for 209, but a 73-run last-wicket stand had led the contest to a tense finish.

At the PKSP, Prime Bank slumped to 103 for nine, with Sunzamul Islam claiming four wickets. However, Abu Hider Rony’s 58 off 48 balls and an unbroken 57-run stand with Tipu Sultan lifted them to 160 all out in 38 overs.

In reply, Sunzamul’s 57 and Nahidul Islam’s 35 guided Bashundhara to 127 for five before they lost their last five wickets for 15 runs and were dismissed for 142. Rony took 3–18 while Sultan claimed 4–22.

Elsewhere, Rupganj Tigers Cricket Club defeated Agrani Bank Cricket Club by two wickets at the Bashundhara Sports Complex, while Habibur Rahman Sohan’s record 45-ball century powered Legends of Rupganj to a 74-run win over City Club at the ULAB Cricket Ground.