Dhaka – Two big guns and table toppers — holder Abahani Limited and Legends of Rupganj — will lock horns in a vital match of the Dhaka Premier Division Cricket League on Sunday at Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium in Mirpur.
Both of the teams won eight of their first nine encounters. But Abahani are at the top slot in the points table by virtue of better run rate than Rupganj.
Abahnai roped most of the national players for this edition of the league. Relying on the big stars of the country, they are stronger than Rupganj. But the coach of the defending league champions Khaled Mahmud Sujon believes Rupganj are also a tough team to beat.
“Apparently we are the better team than Rupganj, but I think Sunday’s battle is very important. The winner of this match will grab the top place of the points table. We formed the best team in the league. But, Rupganj are also playing a good brand of cricket,” Mahmud told reporters at the National Academy ground on Saturday.
Despite being the strongest team of the event in pen and paper, Abahani were seen to struggle in some matches. They registered two of their wins in the death overs. They could have lost those matches had there been outstanding efforts from the opponents.
“I think we are facing strong competition in most of the matches. As you see, we had to struggle in the last match while chasing a total of 224 runs. We had lost five wickets in 135 runs. However, Omi (Jahurul Islam) and (Mohammad) Saifuddin batted superbly to guide the team to the victory. We are yet to perform as a team,” Sujon further said.
One of the most experienced cricketers of Rupganj, Shahriar Nafees, told reporters that they are equipped enough to take the challenge of Abahani.
“Abahani are playing good cricket. But the thing is that we are also doing well. Prime Bank beat Abahani in a match. So we are also upbeat to take the challenge,” Nafees said at the National Academy ground.
“To win against Abahani, we need to ensure the team effort. Everyone should take the responsibility. We have a comparatively young coaching staff comprising Aftab bhai and Nazmul bahi. They are talented, and everyone is following their instructions,” Nafees further said.
In the other league matches on Sunday, Sheikh Jamal Dhanmondi Club will take on Bangladesh Krira Shikkha Protisthan in Savar while Prime Doleshwar Sporting Club will face Uttara Sporting Club in Fatullah.
Points table of Dhaka Premier Division Cricket League after the 9th round:
Teams M W L PT NRR
Abahani 9 8 1 16 0.992
Legends 9 8 1 16 0.411
Prime Bank 9 7 2 14 0.884
Prime Doleshwar 9 6 3 12 0.068
Shinepukur 9 4 4 9 0.311
Mohammedan 9 4 5 8 0.036
Gazi Group 9 4 5 8 -0.056
Sheikh Jamal 9 4 5 8 -0.285
BKSP 9 2 6 5 -0.65
Brothers Union 9 2 7 4 -0.08
Khelaghar Samaj 9 2 7 4 -0.443
Uttara Sporting Club 9 2 7 4 -1.059,UNB
