Mohammedan down Abahani to end 17-year wait for DPL crown

Mohammedan Sporting Club were crowned Dhaka Premier League champions for the first time in 17 years under dramatic circumstances at BKSP-3 on Friday.

Mohammedan entered their final-round clash against Abahani knowing that even a victory might not be enough to secure the title. Locked in a three-way title race with Abahani and Prime Bank Cricket Club, their fate depended on Dhaka Leopards beating Prime Bank, as Mohammedan trailed them on the head-to-head tiebreaker.

Mohammedan did their part in emphatic fashion, posting a commanding 406 for four thanks to centuries from Parvez Emon (150) and Anamul Haque Bijoy (141). However, they still required a favour from Dhaka Leopards, while Prime Bank knew a victory coupled with a Mohammedan win would hand them the title.

Rain ultimately proved decisive in both matches, which were being played on adjacent grounds at BKSP. Abahani had reached 178 for four in 24.4 overs before the match was abandoned at 5:35 pm, handing Mohammedan a 63-run victory under the DLS method.

Just five minutes earlier, at BKSP-4, Dhaka Leopards were awarded a nine-run DLS win after rain halted play with the side on 142 for three in 29.1 overs in pursuit of Prime Bank's 266 for eight. Their revised target had been set at 134.

The Leopards' victory triggered celebrations in the Mohammedan camp as the traditional giants secured their first DPL title since 2008-09 and their first since the competition attained List A status. Mohammedan had won the Premier League nine times before that transition.

Mohammedan finished champions with 18 points. Abahani and Prime Bank both ended on 16 points, but Abahani claimed the runners-up spot courtesy of a superior head-to-head record. Legends of Rupganj finished fourth, followed by Dhaka Leopards and Agrani Bank.