Mushfiqur, Taijul, Shanto make immediate mark on DPL return

Mushfiqur Rahim and Taijul Islam made an immediate impact for Mohammedan Sporting Club as they handed Gulshan Cricket Club a crushing 237-run defeat in their seventh-round match of the ongoing Dhaka Premier Division Cricket League 2025-26 at BKSP-4 on Saturday, helping their side take sole lead of the points table before the Eid break.

Both players were part of Bangladesh’s recent Test series triumph against Pakistan and carried their impressive form into the DPL.

Mushfiqur struck 72 off 62 balls, while Tawhid Hridoy and Afif Hossain chipped in with 86 and 55 respectively, as Mohammedan posted 345 for nine in their allotted 50 overs after electing to bat first.

Taijul then claimed 5-26, while fellow left-arm spinner Tanvir Islam took 4-37, as Mohammedan bowled Gulshan out for just 108 in 33.2 overs to register their sixth win in seven matches.

Like the senior duo, Najmul Hossain Shanto also made his mark immediately, striking an unbeaten 108 off 90 balls, featuring seven fours and as many sixes, to guide Abahani Limited to a nine-wicket win over Agrani Bank Cricket Club at the ULAB Cricket Ground.

Chasing a modest target of 179, Abahani lost opener Jishan Alam early, but an unbroken 171-run partnership between Shanto and Mahidul Islam Ankon, who remained unbeaten on 56, sealed a comfortable victory in just 31.4 overs and lifted them to second place with 10 points from seven matches.

Earlier, a disciplined bowling display saw Abahani bowl out Agrani Bank for 178 in 42.1 overs after they had elected to bat first. Nasir Hossain top-scored with 56 off 58 balls for Agrani Bank.

Meanwhile, the day’s biggest surprise came at BKSP, where Prime Bank Cricket Club suffered a 19-run defeat to City Club, marking their second successive loss after a five-match winning streak.

City Club’s victory was orchestrated by Anamul Haque Anam’s unbeaten 103 off 97 balls, which helped them post 266 for seven after being sent in to bat.

In reply, Azizul Hakim Tamim made 95 off 98 balls to keep Prime Bank in contention, but pacer Enamul Hoque Ashik’s brilliant 5-41 restricted them to 247 for nine. The win was City Club’s fourth of the campaign and lifted them to sixth in the standings.

In the day’s other matches, Irfan Shukkur’s unbeaten 127 off 75 balls helped Legends of Rupganj secure a seven-wicket win over Gazi Group Cricketers in Mirpur. Fazle Mahmud’s 132 off 113 balls guided Bashundhara Strikers to a narrow seven-run victory over Brothers Union in a high-scoring contest at BKSP-3.

At the Bashundhara Sports Complex, Md Abdullah’s unbeaten 100 off 128 balls went in vain as Dhaka Leopards defeated Rupganj Tigers Cricket Club by 30 runs.