DHAKA, April 17, 2025 (BSS)—Mohammedan Sporting Club got off to the Dhaka Premier League (DPL) Super Six phase in disappointing fashion by tasting a nine-wicket defeat to Legends of Rupganj on DLS method in a rain-hit game at Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium today.

The title aspirants lost their strength significantly after most of their first choice players joined national team for two-match Test series against Zimbabwe. Regular skipper Towhid Hridoy who is not in the Test squad was serving a one-match ban.

And it impacted their performance to such extent that they were reduced to 117-7 in 29.4 overs before rain interrupted the game. The rain however didn’t allow them to bat further.

As the ground dried up, on DLS method, Rupganj’s revised target was set 93 to win in 22 overs and they did it effortlessly by reaching 94-1 in just 13.2 overs.

The defeat not only impacted Mohammedan’s run rate to great extent but also hurt their chance to regain the title after nearly one and half decade.

Rupganj though lost opener Tanzid Hasan Tamim for duck in the third ball of chase, made the victory a cake-walk, thanks to Saif Hassan and Soumya Sarkar who sealed the deal in unbeaten second wicket stand by playing aggressive brand of cricket.

Saif struck six fours and three sixes for his 44 ball-55 not out while Soumya was unbeaten on 33 after playing 33 balls and hitting four boundaries.

Put into bat first, Mohammedan batters were left clueless in the face of disciplined bowling for Rupganj bowlers.

Anisul Islam Emon who hammered century in the last group match against Abahani top-scored with 34 ball-35 but apart from him, no other could take the onus to drive the side to the safety. 

Veteran Mahmudullah Riyad made just 12 while captain Rony Talukdar was out for duck.

Left-arm spinner Tanvir Islam claimed 3-37 to derail Mohammedan. Chowdhury Mohammad Rizwan further worsened Mohammedan with 2-9.