A round-up of the second week of matches at the 2022-23 Dhaka Premier League, as Abahani Limited climbed to the top of the points table and Mashrafe Mortaza rolled back the years with a stunning bowling and fielding performance
Key takeaways
Defending champions Sheikh Jamal Dhanmondi Club, Abahani and Legends of Rupganj earned big wins and maintained their 100% win records. Abahani beat Rupganj Tigers and Legends of Rupganj defeated Mohammedan Sporting Club respectively, both ten-wicket victories. Dhanmondi Club beat Shinepukur Cricket Club by 55 runs.
Prime Bank dropped points this week, after Gazi Group Cricketers beating them by five wickets. It is a critical result given that Prime Bank, like the top three teams in the points table, have trophy ambitions.
Best batters
After completing Bangladesh's 2-0 ODI series win against Ireland in Sylhet on Thursday evening (March 23), the next day Tamim Iqbal struck an unbeaten 109 for Prime Bank against Mohammedan in Fatullah,. Dhanmondi Club's Fazle Mahmud and Gazi Group's Indian recruit Ravi Teja also struck match-winning hundreds. Amite Hasan also made a century, but Shinepukur lost that game.
Best bowlers
Off a three-step run-up, Mashrafe Mortaza trounced Mohammedan with a five-wicket haul. He bowled Imrul Kayes and the Indian batter Anustup Mazumder with the round-the-wicket angle, while Shuvagata Hom, Enamul Haque jnr and Khaled Ahmed were caught after mis-hits. Mashrafe also took two great catches at slip. Mashrafe completed 150 wickets in the DPL's List-A era, after taking his fifth five-for.
Among the other good bowling performances, pacers Ziaur Rahman, Robiul Haque, Mohammad Saifuddin and Chirag Jani of India also took four-wicket hauls during the second week.
Best match
Brothers Union got off the mark after four defeats with a three-wicket win against Agrani Bank Cricket Club. Anisul Islam Emon struck 107 with five sixes and eight fours, adding 144 runs for the third wicket with Sabbir Hossain, who contributed 62. With two runs needed off the last ball, Anamul Haque bowled a wide off which the two batters ran a bye to clinch the win.
Points to ponder
Mohammedan Sporting Club are rooted to the bottom of the points table with just one point from five games. This is among their worst start in DPL history counting back to the pre List-A days. Newcomer Dhaka Leopards too are at the bottom with one point, though with a better net run-rate.
Players to watch
Despite not making his international debut, Rejaur Rahman continued to give a good account of himself as a fast bowler. Rejaur has been in several Bangladesh squads since late 2021, but hasn't yet been picked for an international match. Playing for Prime Bank, he took eight wickets this week including a four-wicket haul against Brothers Union.