Key takeaways – Abahani Limited’s winning run ends

Sheikh Jamal Dhanmondi Club beat Abahani Limited to break their eight-match winning streak on Monday. They are now on 16 points each on top of the points table, with Legends of Rupganj and Prime Bank Cricket Club behind them. Gazi Group Cricketers and Mohammedan make up the top six.

Best batter – Imrul Kayes and Mohammad Naim

Mohammedan’s Imrul Kayes struck his first century of the season when his 114 powered his side against City Club. Anamul Haque’s off-colour week means that his Abahani opening partner Mohammad Naim took pole position among the run-getters. Naim is on 640, while Anamul has 615 runs. The pair have already scored more than 60% of Abahani’s runs in the season.

Best bowlers – Jake Lintott and Raihan Uddin

Left-arm wrist spinner Jake Lintott took his first five-wicket haul in List-A cricket when he took 5-37 against Brothers Union at the Fatullah Cricket Stadium on Tuesday. Raihan Uddin picked up the league’s first six-wicket haul of the season that helped Dhaka Leopards to their first win in the season, too.

Best match – Abahani Limited vs Sheikh Jamal Dhanmodi Club

Defending champions Sheikh Jamal’s four-wicket win over Abahani is a significant result in the title race. Batting first, Abahani were restricted to 250 for 9 with Arif Ahmed taking three wickets. Sheikh Jamal completed the chase in the last over though fifties from Towhid Hridoy and Taibur Rahman got them near the target. How the teams finish in the DPL’s first phase usually has significance in the Super League.

Points to ponder

Star-studded Mohammedan have finally woken up, finding themselves in the top six of the points table. They have now won four matches in a row, coinciding with the return of Shakib Al Hasan and Mehidy Hasan Miraz from international duty. The Leopards remain in bottom position with Agrani Bank and Shinepukur Cricket Club also in the danger zone.

Players to watch – Towhid Hridoy and Mahmudullah

Despite two match-winning fifties this week, Mahmudullah remains out of favour with the national selectors who, after “resting” him in the home ODIs against Ireland, have now ignored him for the away ODIs next month too. Hridoy, who effectively replaced Mahmudullah in the ODI setup, spruced up his 2023 form with a match-winning half-century against Abahani.