Abahani one step closer to winning DPL title

Abahani are one step closer to winning the Dhaka Premier League (DPL) title after handing a haevy defeat to Khelaghar.

Abahani Limited continued their winning run in the Dhaka Premier League today by picking up their third victory in four matches of the Super League phase as they won by 127 runs against Khelaghar Samaj Kallyan Samity at Mirpur's Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium.

Abahani openers started briskly with Nazmul Hasan Shanto striking a 56-ball 54 but Anamul Haque left with the score on 64 before Abahani lost four quick wickets to stumble to 117 for five in the 25th over.

Mehedi Hasan Miraz's fine 50 off 44 deliveries with five fours and three sixes eventually took the total to 241 before Abahani were bowled in just 46.3 overs.

Abahani bowlers than launched a brilliant attack on Samaj Kallayan batsmen, picking up all 10 wickets in just 27.3 overs as Mashrafe Bin Mortaza bagged three wickets for 32 runs. Taskin Ahmed, Nasir Hossain and Sandip Roy also picked two wickets each.

The victory ensures that Abahani can clinch the title despite Rupganj's victory at Fatullah today. Legends of Rupganj handed Gazi Group a heavy eight-wicket defeat today as Mohammad Sahid bagged four wickets for 26 runs as Gazi were bowled out for just 152 runs in 45.4 overs.

In reply, Rupganj picked up the win in 22.5 overs as Mohammed Naim blazed away at the top of the order with a 34-ball 45 before Avishek Mishra and Mushfiqur Rahim took Rupganj to victory with knocks of 57 and 30 respectively.

Rupganj, who lie in second place in the standings behind Abahani, have 20 points to Abahani's 22. The final match of the tournament will see these two sides meet in a title-deciding match at BKSP, Savar on April 5. Abahani can afford to lose the final match and still clinch the title while Rupganj will need a big-margin victory against the leaders to take the title.

In another match at BKSP's Savar, Sheikh Jamal defeated Prime Doleshwar by 10 runs to remain in 3rd place with 20 points. However, the title will be decided by the net run rate and Sheikh Jamal have a much inferior NRR compared to Abahani and Rupganj.

Mashrafe tops list for highest wicket takers

Mashrafe Mortaza kept bagging wickets in a successful season with Abahani and now has a haul of 38 wickets to his name this season -- the highest number of scalps by any bowler since DPL gained List A status. Left-armer Abu Hider Rony had held the record with 35 wickets -- a haul which helped Gazi to the title last season. Mashrafe did not take long to set a new record and with one more match to go, he can extend the record.