Legends of Rupganj went four points clear of the next team in the Dhaka Premier League (DPL) and brightened the prospect winning the coveted title.
They finished the group phase of DPL as table topper, having secured their 10th victory in the 11th and last round match when they whacked Uttara Sporting Club past by nine wickets at Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium.
Rupganj bowlers proved the captain Naeem Hasan’s decision to bowl first preciously right by holding Uttaara back to 180-8 in 50 overs, after which openers Mehedi Maruf and Mohmmad Naim hit half-century each to help the side reach the winning mark of 181-1 in just 40.4 overs.
Maruf was not out on 62 after sailing the side home. His 114-ball knock was studded by two fours and as many sixes. His fellow opener Mohammad Naim hammered 77 ball-63, clobbering nine fours and one six.
Maruf and Naim combined for a 96-run opening partnership to pave the way for an effortless victory before the latter was bowled out by Mohimenul Khan.
Mominul Haque and Maruf then took the side home unscathed, having shared further 85-run in an undefeated second wicket stand. Momiul was not out on 47 off 53, sending the ball across the rope for five times.
Earlier on his first competitive match after recovering from the ankle injury that he sustained during the BPL, Taskin Ahmed went wicket-less, bowling five overs in which he conceded 36 runs. But his poor return didn’t matter much as the other bowlers of Rupganj strangled Uttara right from the onset.
Left-arm spinner Nabil Samad was the chief-destroyer with 3-29 while Indian pacer Rishi Dhawan scalped 2-45.
Uttara opener Asiful Islam Emon scored 55 to be the highest scorer for the side. Minhajul Abedin contributed 37 while captain Shakhir Hossain made 33.
Uttara is languishing at bottom table with four points from 11 matches and will play relegation league in a bid to prevent them from going down to first division cricket league. The other two team of the relegation league will be decided after tomorrow’s match.