MSC keep rolling sans Shakib

Following the resolution of the Shakib Al Hasan saga that went on for the past two days after the star cricketer once again made headlines for all the wrong reasons, the eighth round of the Dhaka Premier League T20 competition hit the field yesterday and, despite the rain halting a majority of matches yesterday, things eventually seemed to return to normal.

Shakib was suspended for three matches and fined Tk 5 lakh for kicking down the stumps near the umpire Imran Parvez in rage after being denied LBW appeal in the fifth over of their game against Abahani on Friday. Shakib was also seen threatening the umpire before again blowing his top and uprooting the stumps and slamming them in a fit of rage when the umpires called for covers to be brought on due to rain in the same over.

Mohammedan officials have appealed to the CCDM to minimise Shakib's suspension and there was talk that Shakib may fly to the USA within the next couple of days to spend time with his family.

However, even without Shakib, Mohammedan continued their winning run and registered a fifth win in eight games with a five-run win (D/L method) over Old DOHS Sports Club.

Irfan Shukkur top-scored with an unbeaten 42-ball 64 and helped Mohammedan post 154 for five. In reply, DOHS ended up on 115 for 4 after 16 overs as rain forced a stop to the game. DOHS eventually lost the game by D/L method.

Abahani returned to winning ways after defeat in their previous eventful battle against archival Mohammedan as Mushfiqur Rahim's side registered a comfortable 30-run win over Prime Bank Cricket Club by D/L method in another rain-affected encounter.

Abahani rode on young opener Munim Shahriar's blistering unbeaten 92 off just 50 balls, which included five sixes and nine fours, to post a big total of 183 for 3. Prime Bank ended on 143 for six in 19 overs after rain forced a premature end to the game. Skipper Tamim Iqbal's 55 was the top score for Prime Bank while Mohammad Mithun added 34. Pacer Tanzid Hasan picked up two wickets for Abahani.

Despite the defeat, Prime Bank are still on top of the points table with six wins from eight games while Abahani, also with six wins from eight games, are in the second spot due to an inferior run rate.

Skipper Mahmudullah Riyad's unbeaten 50 helped Gazi Group chase down a 139-run target with five wickets against Khelaghar SKS.

Mahmudullah steadied the ship after Gazi lost a few early wickets in chase and the experienced right-hander remained unbeaten on 58 off 48 balls, which featured two sixes and three fours, to guide his side to a fifth win.

Interestingly, there was some dissatisfaction over poor umpiring in yesterday's matches. Legends of Rupganj batsman Sabbir Rahman was not happy after he was given caught behind. The cricketer tried to protest the decision and stood his ground for a while before walking back to the dressing room. Rupganj lost the game by seven runs in the D/L method.

In the other two matches of the day, Prime Doleshwar SC sealed their fifth win by beating Partex Sporting by five wickets while Brothers Union defeated Shinepukur Cricket Club by one run in by D/L method.