Shahadat Hossain Dipu’s Century Leads Prime Bank to DPL Thriller Win

A Masterclass at the Bashundhara Sports Complex

The Dhaka Premier League (DPL) witnessed a truly spectacular display of batting as Prime Bank Cricket Club secured a thrilling 3-wicket victory over Mohammedan Sporting Club. The match, which went down to the penultimate over, showcased the resilience and depth of Prime Bank’s lineup as they successfully overhauled a challenging target of 304 runs.

Mohammedan’s Strong Foundation

Batting first at the Bashundhara Sports Complex, Mohammedan Sporting Club set the tone early. Their innings was built on a solid foundation, starting with a 43-run opening partnership between Anamul Haque Bijoy and Naim Sheikh. While Bijoy departed for 19, his partner Naim Sheikh went on to anchor the innings with grace and power.

Naim Sheikh was the standout performer for Mohammedan, anchoring the middle overs with Parvez Hossain Emon. The duo shared a brilliant century partnership that pushed the team toward a commanding position. Emon played a composed knock of 52 runs from 65 balls, providing the necessary stability. Naim, however, was the aggressor, punishing the Prime Bank bowlers with 9 fours and 2 sixes. He looked destined for a century but fell agonizingly short, dismissed by Abu Hashim for 99 off 107 balls.

Despite the late wickets of Towhid Hridoy and Rishad Hossain, Mohammedan found late momentum through Afif Hossain, who finished with an unbeaten 49 from 49 balls. Complementing him was Mohammad Saifuddin, who contributed a rapid 20 off just 12 balls, propelling Mohammedan to a formidable total of 303 for 6.

Prime Bank’s Determined Chase

Chasing 304 against a high-quality side required a balanced team effort, and Prime Bank delivered exactly that. The opening pair of Azizul Hakim Tamim and Shahadat Hossain Dipu provided an aggressive start, putting on 53 runs to set the platform. While Tamim was removed for 20 and Ariful Islam added a steady 31, the innings revolved around one man: Shahadat Hossain Dipu.

As the required run rate climbed, veteran Mahmudullah Riyad joined the fray. Though he couldn’t convert his start into a match-winning score, his 36 from 51 balls allowed Dipu to settle in and find his rhythm. Dipu’s innings was a masterclass in controlled aggression. He reached a superb century, ultimately scoring 118 from 123 deliveries, embellished with 10 fours and 2 sixes.

The Final Push

The chase reached a critical junction when Dipu finally fell, but Prime Bank’s depth proved to be the difference. Akbar Ali stepped up to provide a crucial cameo of 40 runs from only 30 balls, maintaining the pressure on the Mohammedan bowlers. With the target in sight, Shamim Hossain unleashed a flurry of boundaries, smashing 37 runs from just 21 balls, including three towering sixes.

Abu Hider Rony provided the finishing touches with an unbeaten 14 off just 6 balls, ensuring that Prime Bank reached the target with five balls to spare. This result stands as a testament to Prime Bank’s fighting spirit in this year’s DPL, as they successfully navigated a high-pressure chase to claim a vital victory. For Mohammedan, it was a hard-fought battle where their batting excellence was ultimately eclipsed by a collective and determined effort from the opposition.

Key Takeaways

• Match Turning Point: The partnership between Dipu and the middle order ensured the required rate remained within reach.
• Outstanding Batting: Both Naim Sheikh (99) and Shahadat Hossain Dipu (118) delivered high-quality performances.
• Depth Matters: Prime Bank’s ability to find boundaries late in the innings via Shamim Hossain proved decisive.

As the tournament progresses, such high-scoring encounters continue to highlight the growing competitiveness of the DPL, with players like Dipu proving they are ready to step up in pressure-cooker situations.