A round-up of the third week of matches at the 2022-23 Dhaka Premier Division League, where Abahani Limited won their seventh game in a row on the back of three centuries in as many matches from Anamul Haque.
Key takeaways - Abahani maintain clean slate
Abahani remained the only team with a 100% win record after they won two matches this week. Defending champions Sheikh Jamal Dhanmondi Club lost to Mohammedan Sporting Club while Legends of Rupganj, who had won their first five games, dropped points against Rupganj Tigers Cricket Club. Prime Bank Cricket Club, who lost to Abahani by 141 runs, fell well back in the race.
Best batter - Anamul Haque
Anamul struck centuries against Dhaka Leopards and Prime Bank, making 107 and 153 in the two games respectively. He has already scored three centuries in the season, equalling his personal record from the 2019 and 2022 seasons. He has now scored 14 hundreds in the List-A era of the league.
Best bowlers - Al-Amin Hossain and Mukidul Islam
Al-Amin Hossain and Mukidul Islam took five-wicket hauls this week, leading Legends of Rupganj and Rupganj Tigers, respectively, to victories. Among those who took four-wicket hauls this week, Parvez Rasool added some runs to help his side Dhanmondi Club to a win, too.
Best match - Brothers Union vs City Club
City Club's Nos. 10 and 11, Ifran Hossain and Asif Hasan, struck the winning runs with one ball remaining to help their team to a one-wicket win against Brothers Union. Brothers Union took regular wickets but Towfiq Khan and Rafsan Al Mahmud made important runs to get City Club towards the 220-run target, which they pulled off right at the close.
Points to ponder
City Club have won their last three games after losing the first four. Mohammedan Sporting Club, one of the most successful teams in the tournament's history, are languishing in eighth place with five points. Dhaka Leopards remain the only winless team after seven rounds.
Players to watch - Anamul Haque and Robiul Haque
Anamul should re-enter the national selectors' radar with his big scores, particularly the 153 against Prime Bank. Among the bowlers, Robiul Haque and Mukidul have shown match-winning abilities quite consistently.