Mosaddek shines on day of national stars

The first round of the 2017 Dhaka Premier League, the country's most celebrated limited-overs domestic tournament, started with the cream of the crop strutting their wares as the national stars came to the fore with telling performances in wins by Legends of Rupganj, Prime Doleshwar and defending champions Abahani. While former national spinner Arafat Sunny and current limited-overs captain Mashrafe Bin Mortaza displayed their bowling wiles, Rupganj skipper Mushfiqur Rahim displayed his virtuosity in turning an innings around, which was replicated for Abahani by national middle-order mainstay Mahmudullah, but it was youngster Mosaddek Hossain who outshone his national seniors yesterday.

He translated his good form at international level to an even more stellar level by scoring a brilliant century to take Abahani past Khelaghar Samaj Kallyan Samiti at the Khan Shaheb Osman Ali Stadium in Fatullah yesterday.

Batting first, Khelaghar rode on Robiul Islam Robi's 74 and Nafees Iqbal's 78 to finish on a decent 293 for six.

Abahani were clearly the stronger outfit on the field, but they would have been nervous going into the dressing room during the innings break, which was reflected at the start of the chase.

Abahani were reduced to 85 for three with Saif Hasan, Sadman Islam and Nazmul Hossain returning before the 20th over. It was only when Mosaddek and Mahmudullah got together that Abahani began to change the pace of the innings.

Together the duo put on 127 runs off 124 balls for the fourth wicket. While Mahmudullah scored a 67-ball 59, Mosaddek finished on 110 off just 85.

Mahmudullah and Mosaddek both love to play under pressure and yesterday's situation was ideal for them. They had taken the team past the 200-run mark with the 40th over approaching. However, it was precisely at that moment that Riyad was dismissed and Abahani needed another partnership.

Mosaddek kept his cool and took the team almost all the way to the target. He scored 12 fours and two sixes and got out only after the scores were tied in the 48th over. This was Mosaddek's second List A century and his highest score in this format. Eventually Abahani reached home with five wickets in hand.

For the sixth wicket, Mohammad Mithun had joined in along with Mosaddek and made his life easier by hammering a 27-ball 42. He hit four fours and a six.

The day's other games took place at the BKSP with Brothers Union taking on the Legends of Rupganj and Prime Doleshwar Sporting Club against Partex Sporting Club.

Batting first, Brothers were restricted to 206 for nine. They were in trouble very early in the innings when they were reduced to 91 for six, courtesy of some good bowling from Mohammad Sharif and Mashrafe.

Myshukur Rahman, who generally bats in the top order, came in at number six and scored 65 off 90 balls to help them recover and cross the 200-run mark. Mashrafe finished with figures of two for 28 in eight overs, while Sharif scalped three for 25 in nine.

After the exchange, Mushfiqur Rahim scored a calm, unbeaten 75 to lead Rupganj home with four wickets in hand.

It was not a very calm start though for Rupganj as they were reduced to 81 for three in 18 overs. It got worse when Naeem Islam and Yasir Ali were sent back soon after and they were reduced to 141 for five. However, despite the odds, Mushfiqur stood by and ensured that his team got home.

Mushfiqur, who captained instead of Mashrafe, scored 75 off 103 balls with one six and five fours.

On the other hand, Prime Doleshwar put in a dominating performance to beat Partex Sporting Club by 78 runs. Batting first, Abdul Majid scored 77, while Marshall Ayub posted 63 to help them post 287.

During the chase, Yashpal Singh tried to make a game of it by scoring 74, but he could not accelerate and that came from 96 balls. The majority of the other batsmen though fell prey to Sunny, who put in a brilliant bowling effort, finishing on five for 33 in 10 overs with three maidens.

SCORES IN BRIEF

KHELAGHAR SKS V ABAHANI LIMITED

KHELAGHAR: 293 for 6 (Nafees 78, Robiul 74; Saifuddin 3-45, Kazi Anik 2-69)

ABAHANI: 297 for 5 in 47 3 overs (Mosaddek 110, Mahmudullah 59, Nazmul Hossain 45, Mithun 42 not out; Sadekur 2-36, Dollar 1-24)

Result: Abahani won by five wickets.

BROTHERS UNION V LEGENDS OF RUPGANJ

BROTHERS UNION: 206 for 9 (Myshukur 65, Dhuman 30; Sharif 3-25, Mashrafe 2-28, Asif 2-31)

LEGENDS OF RUPGANJ: 207 for 6 in 46 1 overs (Mushfiqur 75 not out, Hasanuzzaman 31; Abhishek 2-22, Nehaduzzaman 2-34)

Result: Rupganj won by four wickets.

PRIME DOLESHWAR VS PARTEX SPORTING CLUB

PRIME DOLESHWAR: 287 for 9 (Abdul 77, Marshall 63, Imtiaz 38; Golam 3-41, Shahnur 2-47)

PARTEX: 209 for 9 (Yashpal 74, Sajjadul 43; Arafat 5-33, Forhad 2-10)

Result: Prime Doleshwar won by 78 runs.