CCS romp to a joyous upset

They may be the least experienced side in the league and they could well be the unluckiest group of players as far as the payment is concerned, but yesterday Cricket Coaching School proved that no matter what the situation, they have the ability to take down the big guns of the Dhaka Premier League.

A team filled with youngsters -- some of whom represented Bangladesh Under-19 -- led by veteran Rajin Saleh, there was no shortage of enthusiasm at Fatullah when they beat league leaders Mohammedan by 31 runs.

The game began on Saturday but had to be pushed into the reserve day due to inclement weather. Mushfiqur Rahim's Mohammedan had to chase down 149 in 25 overs. They were however bundled out for just 117 in 21 overs.

Anyone at the Khan Shaheb Osman Ali Stadium in Fatullah would tell you that what happened there was a sight to behold. Each of Mohammedan's wickets were celebrated in style. The CCS players even had their own dance moves, seemingly inspired from Bebeto's celebration from the 1994 football World Cup.

CCS's Mehrab Hossain and Salman Hossain were the key wicket-takers . While Mehrab finished with figures of four for 14, Salman, who had earlier scored a half-century, finished with a three-wicket haul. He took all three wickets in the last over of the game.

Mohammedan struggled from the very beginning. They had a 20-run stand for the opening wicket, but once Naeem Islam was sent back to the pavilion in the fourth over, they collapsed. Mushfiqur Rahim was dismissed for four. From 20 for no loss, they slumped to 53 for six in just eight overs. Nazmul Hossain Milon and Habibur Rahman tried to stitch a comeback towards the end, but their scores of 32 and20 did not prove to be enough.

CCS now have four points and have a better chance of avoiding relegation.

In the day's other game at Mirpur, Prime Bank Cricket Club raced to an eight-wicket win over Kalabagan Cricket Academy. Chasing Kalabagan's 89, they reached home in just 10.3 overs.

SCORES IN BRIEF 

CRICKET COACHING SCHOOL: 149 
MOHAMMEDAN: 117 all out in 21 overs (Ezaz 35, Nazmul 32; Mehrab 4-14, Salman 3-27)
Result: Cricket Coaching School won by 31 runs. 
KALABAGAN CRICKET ACADEMY: 89
PRIME BANK CRICKET CLUB: 92 for 2 in 10.3 overs (Sabbir 40 not out, Shanaj 22; Mehed 1-12, Abu 1-22)
Result: Prime Bank Cricket Club won by eight wickets.