Abahani, Mohammedan set for super finale

It is all set for a humdinger of a final round in this season’s Premier Cricket League as traditional rivals Abahani and Mohammedan will face off in the final round for the title. Both sides won their penultimate round games yesterday to set up this fantastic finale.

Left-arm spinner Saqlain Sajib’s five-for gave leaders Mohammedan a comfortable five-wicket victory against Kalabagan at the Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium in Mirpur while holders Abahani rode on Pakistani all-rounder Abdul Razzaq’s stroke-filled 71 to secure a four wicket win against Cricket Coaching School (CCS) at the Fatullah Cricket Stadium.

With the outcome, the gap remains on one point between league leaders Mohammedan and their old foes Abahani and a win or an unlikely tie in the Monday’s final round match at Mirpur can end the eight years title drought of the Motijheel outfit while a win will make sure of Abahani’s fourth title in a row.

Back to the Mirpur encounter, Saqlain made it a mismatch as the Kalabagan batsmen succumbed to him, being bundled out for 120 runs in 34 overs after being sent into bat first.

Mohammedan skipper Khaled Mashud brought the spinner on as early as the third over and he took three wickets in the fifth over as Kalabagan were reduced to 26 for four at one stage.

Number eight batsman Fariduddin Masud made unbeaten 32 off 66 deliveries to add some respect to the total.

Mohammedan posted 124 for five in 30.4 overs but their top order batting also looked uncomfortable especially against left-arm spinner Enamul Haque, who picked up three wickets for 25 runs.

Shamsur Rahman hit a 75-ball 43 that contained six boundaries while Mohammad Ashraful added 27.

At Fatullah, Razzaq smashed five boundaries and four over boundaries during his 74-ball 71 after taking three wickets as Abahani scored an easy win against CCS, who made 172 all out riding on opener Uttam Sarker’s 99-ball 75 with nine four and three sixes.

Spinner Nasir Hossain however was top wicket-taker by claiming four wickets for 38 runs.

Opener Rony Talukdar was the other notable scorer for Abahani with 45 as the defending champions reached the target with 174 for 6 in 36.1 overs.

In another low-scoring affair, Victoria produced the lowest total as they were all out for 94 runs to help Biman register an eight-wicket victory at the Dhanmondi Cricket Stadium.

Young pacer Shafiul Islam captured four wickets for 24 and left-arm spinner Mosharraf Hossain picked up four for 17 to demolish the Victoria innings.

In reply, Biman took only 18.4 overs to reach the target by losing only two wickets.

Abahani, Mohammedan set for super finale

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