Bipul, Mushfiqur take Mohammedan to top spot

Bipul Sharma's four-wicket haul set up Mohammedan Sporting Club's six-wicket win against Sheikh Jamal Dhanmondi Club in a match shortened by rain in Mirpur. The win confirmed Mohammedan's place in the Super League, as they finished on top of the points table with 14 points. Dhanmondi's hopes of a top-six finish ended, although they kept themselves safe from relegation, finishing their campaign with 10 points.

A wet pitch delayed the start by two hours, after which Mohammedan decided to bowl in the 42-overs-a-side game.

In the first over, pacer Nazmul Hossain removed Abdullah Al Mamun with a snorter that was easily caught by Naeem Islam, who walked back a few steps from his position at first slip. Mahbubul Karim, who top scored with 29, and Marshall Ayub added 56 for the second wicket before both batsmen fell quickly.

Nazmus Sadat and captain Mahmudullah added 42 for the fifth wicket, before Zabid Hossain and tail-ender Shafiul Islam added a further 45 for the eighth, in only 6.2 overs, as Dhanmondi finished on 187 for 8.

Bipul took 4 for 24 while Nazmul, Habibur Rahman, Shubashis Roy and Naeem Islam jnr picked up one each.

Mohammedan also lost an early wicket in their reply, when left-arm spinner Abdur Rahman had Ezaz Ahmed caught and bowled in the second over. His opening partner Habibur was also caught and bowled, by Mahmudullah, but Mushfiqur Rahim dropped anchor and added 73 runs for the third wicket with Naeem Islam. Both batsmen scored fifties to give Mohammedan a strong base in the chase.

Thereafter, Mushfiqur and Bipul added 70 runs for the fourth wicket, the partnership taking Mohammedan within seven runs of victory. Mushfiqur was unbeaten on 66 off 82 balls with seven fours and two sixes. Bipul struck three fours and two sixes in his 25-ball 34. Mahmudullah signed off the season with returns of 3 for 52.

The match between Legends of Rupganj and Brothers Union was called off early and moved to the reserve day, Thursday, due to a "wet pitch," according to the Cricket Committee of Dhaka Metropolis, the BCB standing committee that runs the DPL.