Abahani one win away

A brilliant all-round performance from the young Mosaddek Hossain, who scored 73 and took a five-wicket haul, led Abahani to a crucial 60-run victory over the Legends of Rupganj at the BKSP yesterday.

The win has taken them to the top of the league and at the moment it seems as though Abahani already have one hand on the trophy.

Batting first, Abahani finished on 290 for eight. Apart from Mosaddek, Shakib scored a brisk 66 as well. In reply, Rupganj were bundled out for 230 in 44.4 overs.

A brilliant century from former national batsman Rakibul Hasan and an unbeaten 74 from the ever dependable Nasir Hossain led Prime Doleshwar to 333 for five in Fatullah, setting up a 91-run win over Victoria and knocking Mominul Haque and Co out of the championship race.

Victoria, a team that entered the Super League phase on top, with 17 points from 15 games have no chance of winning the championship.

At the Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium in Mirpur, Mushfiqur Rahim's Mohammedan won a desperately close game against Sabbir Rahman's Prime Bank Cricket Club. Prime Bank were bundled out for 244 in 48.4 overs with Sabbir top-scoring with 77. Mohammedan lost early wickets and looked in trouble at the start.

Prime Doleshwar's Rakibul Hasan plays a drive during his century at the Khan Saheb Osman Ali Stadium in Fatullah yesterday. Photo: Star

Ariful Haque, who came in to bat at number six, scored a century that revived them and led them to a last-ball victory. The win however will not affect the table as far as the championship race is concerned since both these teams were out of the running before this round.

The way the tables are stacked at the moment, it has now become a three-way race between Abahani, Prime Doleshwar and Rupganj. Abahani and Rupganj have 20 points each, while Doleshwar have 18. However, while Abahani and Doleshwar have two games in hand, Rupganj have one.

While Abahani will play their final game against Prime Bank, Rupganj will take on Prime Doleshwar. If Abahani and Rupganj both win their last round games, then Abahani will be declared champions.

Even though they will then be tied on 20 points with Rupganj, they will top the table on account of more matches won.

However, if both Abahani and Rupganj lose their respective matches, then it will be a three-way tie between Abahani, Rupganj and Prime Doleshwar. If that is the scenario, then the game between Abahani and Prime Doleshwar, which had to be indefinitely postponed due to the umpires leaving the field, will be crucial.

A decision regarding that game is expected to be announced by tomorrow.

A third possibility is if Abahani loses and Rupganj wins. In that case as well, the postponed game will play a key role for Abahani.

SCORES IN BRIEF 

ABAHANI LIMITED: 290 for 8 in 50 overs (Mosaddek 73, Shakib 66; Taijul 3-45)

LEGENDS OF RUPGANJ: 230 all out in 44.4 overs (Asif 70, Mithun 55; Mosaddek 5-43)

Result: Abahani Limited won by 60 runs

PRIME DOLESHWAR: 333 for 5 in 50 overs (Raqibul 100, Nasir 74*, Marzan 2-51)

VICTORIA SPORTING CLUB: 242 all out in 45.2 overs (Mominul 61, Jubair 56, Sunzamul 3-44)

Result: Prime Doleshwar Sporting Club won by 91 runs

PRIME BANK CRICKET CLUB: 244 all out in 48.4 overs (Sabbir 77, Unmukt 40, Naeem 2-15)

MOHAMMEDAN SPORTING CLUB: 247 for 9 in 50.0 overs (Ariful 103, Musfiqur 50, Taibur 2-29)

Result: Mohammedan Sporting Club won by 1 wicket