No revenge for Sonargaon as ULAB strike again

Sonargaon University had hoped to settle an old score, but the University of Liberal Arts Bangladesh (ULAB) had other ideas. Repeating their 2023 success against the same opponents, ULAB once again denied Sonargaon, cruising to a 53-run victory in the ABG University Cup 2026 final at the Anvir Cricket Stadium, ABG Sports City, on Friday.

The two universities had previously met in the semifinal of the NSU Inter-University Sports Carnival T10 tournament in 2023, where ULAB edged Sonargaon by six runs. Three years later, the rivalry produced another ULAB triumph, this time with the inaugural ABG University Cup title at stake.

After setting a challenging target of 206, ULAB made Sonargaon's chase an uphill task from the outset. Both openers, Habibur Sheikh and Mosharof Mular, departed for ducks, leaving their side in deep trouble in the title decider.

Yeasin Bhuiyan offered some resistance with a fighting 48 off 34 deliveries, but the damage had already been done. Sonargaon eventually managed 152, falling 53 runs short of the target.

Arifur Rahman led ULAB's bowling charge, ripping through the opposition batting line-up with four wickets for just 12 runs. Shariful Islam provided excellent support with three wickets to extinguish any hopes of a comeback.

Earlier, Farhan Jamil had set the tone for ULAB's title-winning performance with a breathtaking century. Batting first after Sonargaon elected to field, Farhan smashed 109 off just 61 deliveries, clearing the ropes 11 times and striking three fours to power ULAB to 205-5 in their 20 overs.

Opener Shabab Jamil contributed a valuable 36 off 30 balls, while the tournament's leading run-scorer Zakirul Ahmed chipped in with a quickfire 27 off just 15 deliveries.

Farhan's match-winning contribution earned him the Player of the Match award, while Zakirul finished as the tournament's highest run-scorer with 291 runs to claim the Player of the Tournament accolade. Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) chief selector and former Bangladesh captain Habibul Bashar Sumon presented the award.

Mahamodul Hasan Rakib, despite going wicketless in the final, finished as one of the tournament's joint leading wicket-takers with 13 scalps to claim the Bowler of the Tournament award.

ULAB also walked away with the tournament's top prize of Tk 10 lakh, while runners-up Sonargaon received Tk 5 lakh.

Shezaad hints at bigger tournament

The successful inaugural edition, featuring 10 universities, has already raised hopes of a bigger competition in the future.

Shezaad Akbar Sobhan, director of Rangpur Riders, praised the participating teams and hinted at plans to expand the tournament with more universities in the next edition.

"It has been a wonderful tournament involving 10 universities. Both teams put in a good effort, and we are delighted to see the winning university lift the trophy. We are planning another, bigger tournament with more teams. This is just the beginning, and we want more universities to take part in an even bigger competition, InshaAllah," he told reporters.

Shezaad Akbar Sobhan presented the champions' trophy to ULAB alongside ABG Sports City director and Bashundhara Kings president Imrul Hassan and former Bangladesh cricketers Khaled Mahmud Sujon and Habibul Bashar Sumon.

Meanwhile, American International University-Bangladesh (AIUB) won the Fan Club award through a public vote. Shezaad presented the award to the winning university.

Mahamodul Hasan Rakib, speaking to The Daily Sun, described the triumph as a special achievement, particularly given the scale and setting of the competition.

"Winning the final of such a big tournament makes us very delighted. This was the first time in Bangladesh that a university tournament of this kind was organised under floodlights," he said.

He also called on the BCB and the National Sports Council (NSC) to organise similar competitions regularly, arguing that private universities could become an important source of future cricketing talent.

"The standard of competition in this tournament was almost like Dhaka League or first-division cricket. Many talented players study at private universities. If the BCB and NSC organise tournaments like this regularly, they can produce many good players for Bangladesh in the future," he added.

Initiated by Anvir Bashundhara Group (ABG) Chairman Sayem Sobhan Anvir, the ABG University Cup aims to give private university cricketers the experience of playing under floodlights while promoting sportsmanship and competitive cricket at the university level.

With ULAB celebrating a deserved title, AIUB winning the fans' vote and Shezaad hinting at a bigger competition, the inaugural ABG University Cup has provided a promising platform for the future of university cricket in Bangladesh.