Doleshwar remain in title contention after big win

Prime Doleshwar Sporting Club kept themselves in contention for the 2017 Dhaka Premier League title with a 97-run win over Mohammedan Sporting Club at the Fatullah Cricket Stadium.

Doleshwar moved to 22 points to draw level with Abahani Limited, while Gazi Group Cricketers occupy the top spot with 24 points. If Gazi Group beat Doleshwar on June 5, the last day of the Super League, they are assured of becoming champions, even if Abahani win against Sheikh Jamal Dhanmondi Club.

But if Gazi lose to Doleshwar, and Abahani beat Dhanmondi Club, then Gazi, Doleshwar and Abahani will be level on 24 points, making for a three-way tie. In that case, Gazi Group's three wins in matches against Abahani and Doleshwar will see them to the title.

If, however, Abahani and Gazi both lose, Gazi and Doleshwar will be on 24 points each. And with both teams having beaten each other once, it will come down to net run rate to determine the champions. Given how close they are currently in that regard - Gazi have a net run rate of 0.687 and Doleshwar of 0.532 - it is more than likely that Doleshwar will win the title.

During the match on Saturday, Doleshwar lost wicketkeeper and opener Jaker Ali after being inserted. Shahriar Nafees, who top-scored with 70, and Imtiaz Hossain (48) then stitched together 79 runs for the second wicket. Nafees added a further 51 with Marshall Ayub, the only other half-centurion of the match, before being caught off Bipul Sharma's left-arm spin.

Marshall's 50 came off 60 balls. Following his dismissal in the 45th over, contributions from Rajat Bhatia (37 off 32) and Farhad Reza (20 0ff 12) shored up Doleshwar to 264 for 6.

Mohammedan were reduced to 24 for 2 in the fifth over, before Shamsur Rahman and Bipul added 69 for the third wicket. The dismissal of Bipul, who top-scored with 48, triggered a slide as Mohammedan went from 93 for 2 to 103 for 6. They never quite recovered thereafter, and were bowled out for 167 in 34.5 overs despite a late 31 from Sajedul Islam.

Offspinner Sharifullah took 3 for 32 in seven overs, while Reza, Delwar Hossain and Rahatul Ferdous took two wickets each.