DPL title race heats up as Mohammedan, Abahani, Prime Bank prevail

All three title contenders -- Mohammedan, Abahani and Prime Bank -- won their respective ninth-round matches on Saturday to keep the Dhaka Premier League title race wide open.

At the PKSP ground, Mohammedan defeated Gazi Group Cricketers by 47 runs via the DLS method to remain at the top of the table with 16 points. 

Meanwhile, at BKSP-3, Abahani beat Legends of Rupganj by three wickets, also through the DLS method, while Prime Bank secured a 16-run DLS victory over Rupganj Tigers Cricket Club at the Cricketers Academy Ground. 

Abahani and Prime Bank are now joint second with 14 points after nine rounds.

In the other two incomplete matches carried over from Friday, Bashundhara Strikers and Gulshan Cricket Club defeated Dhaka Leopards and City Club by 31 and 17 runs respectively at the ULAB Cricket Ground and Bashundhara Sports Complex.

At PKSP, Gazi Group resumed on 41 for two in 4.3 overs while chasing 334 in a revised 42-over contest. Despite an unbeaten 104 off 95 balls from Sabbir Hossen Shikder, they could only manage 287 for eight in their allotted overs. 

Taijul Islam was the standout bowler for Mohammedan with figures of 4-36.

At BKSP-3, chasing a revised target of 163 in 20 overs, Abahani resumed on 51 for one after six overs and reached 167 for seven in 18.5 overs to secure a crucial victory.

Jaker Ali Anik played a key role in the chase with an unbeaten 33 off 30 balls, while valuable contributions from the lower order helped Abahani stay firmly in the title hunt.

The defeat also confirmed Rupganj out of the title race as they have 10 points from nine matches.

At the Cricketers Academy Ground, Prime Bank, who resumed on 75 for one in 17 overs against Rupganj Tigers, were bowled out for 165 in a rain-curtailed 37-over innings.

Rupganj Tigers were then set a revised target of 181 from 37 overs and reached 125 for six in 29.4 overs before rain halted play. As the match could not be resumed, Prime Bank were declared winners under the DLS method.

At ULAB, Saif Hassan's 95 off 112 balls and Nurul Hasan Sohan's 58 off 66 guided Bashundhara Strikers to 251 for nine in a reduced 45-over innings. Their bowlers then dismissed Dhaka Leopards for 220 in 39 overs to register their fifth win of the season.

At the Bashundhara Sports Complex, City Club, who resumed on 42 for seven while chasing 204 in 46 overs, mounted a spirited fight through their lower order but were eventually bowled out for 186 in 43.3 overs to suffer a narrow defeat.

Anamul Haque Anam top-scored with 56 off 94 balls, while Abdul Gaffar Saqlaim (36), Nihaduzzaman (22 not out) and Enamul Hoque (34) made useful contributions, though City Club ultimately fell short of the target.

The 10th and penultimate round matches will be held on Monday.