Favourites cruise as BPL returns

Following a one-month break for the national team's international engagements, Bangladesh Premier League resumed yesterday with all favourites cruising to victories at three different venues.

Bashundhara Kings, who have already ensured their fourth league title, handed a 3-1 defeat to Sheikh Jamal in their penultimate match at Sheikh Fazlul Haque Moni Stadium in Gopalganj, with all three goals coming through their foreign recruits. Brazilian Miguel Ferreira gave Kings a third-minute lead before his two compatriots – Dorielton Gomes and Robson da Silva – netted two more goals in the 42nd and 77th minutes respectively while Abu Shaeid reimbursed a goal in the 90th minute.

At Shaheed Dhirendranath Dutta Stadium in Cumilla, Malian captain Souleymane Diabate slammed his third hattrick of the league to power Mohammedan to a 6-0 win over Azampur FC. Diabate, who had scored hattricks against Muktijoddha Sangsad and Azampur FC in the first phase, scored in 10th, 68th and 89th minutes while Emanuel Sunday and Anwar Hossain scored in the 49th and 54th minutes respectively.

Sheikh Russel notched a 2-0 win over Fortis FC, with Sunday Udoh and Kenneth Ngowoke scoring in the 33rd and 63rd minutes respectively.

Kings took their tally to 52 points from 19 matches, 26 more than fourth-placed Mohammedan and fifth-placed Sheikh Russel, who stayed behind Mohammedan on goal difference.

Sheikh Jamal, Fortis and relegated Azampur are in sixth, seventh and 11th places with 21, 20 and five points respectively.