Ace all-rounder Shakib Al Hasan didn’t do anything worthy with batting or bowling but his presence itself was a big boost as Mohammedan Sporting Club Limited clinched the first victory over reigning champions Sheikh Jamal Dhanmondi Club Limited by 22 runs in the sixth round match of the ongoing Dhaka Premier Division Cricket League 2022-23 at the BKSP-4 ground in Savar on Saturday.
Mohammedan lost four games in their last five matches and one was washed out, leaving them in a position to play the relegation league. But Saturday’s victory against Sheikh Jamal gave them a ray of hope to avoid playing the relegation league.
Rony Talukdar scored 32 and added 79-run with Kayes for the opening stand. After the failure of Shakib and Miraz, Mahmudullah Riyad accompanied Kayes in 73-run partnership for fourth wicket, which laid a solid foundation.
Mahmudullah hit five fours and two sixes for his 48 off 51. Thereafter, Ariful Haque made 39 not out and Jake Lintott hammered a fluent 24 not out off just 10 to push Mohammedan’s total closer to 300.
Parvej Rasool and Arif Ahmed took two wickets for Sheikh Jamal which was bowled out for 268 in 49.2 over to concede their first defeat after winning five matches in a row.
Jake Lintott played an important role in bowling too as he scalped 3-72. Abu Jayed Rahi also took three wickets, giving away 83 runs in nine overs. Shakib though didn’t take any wicket, concede just 31 runs in 10 overs. Mehidy Hasan was also economical as he had figures of 1-42 in 10 overs.
Parvej Rasool scared Mohammedan after their top order failed to click. The Indian recruit Rasool, who hailed from Kashmir, blasted 63 off 56 with three fours and two sixes but that was not enough to seal the deal. Opener Said Hassan was the other notable scorer with 58.
