Shahadat Hossain Dipu’s Century Powers Prime Bank to DPL Victory
A Thrilling Finish at Bashundhara Sports Complex
The Dhaka Premier League (DPL) delivered yet another spectacular contest as Prime Bank Cricket Club secured a hard-fought 3-wicket win against Mohammedan Sporting Club. In a match that ebbed and flowed until the final over, it was the sheer composure and brilliance of Shahadat Hossain Dipu that ultimately tipped the scales in favor of Prime Bank.
Mohammedan’s Strong First Innings
Batting first on a track that seemed tailor-made for batting, Mohammedan Sporting Club posted a formidable total of 303 for 6. The innings was defined by a steady start and a late-order acceleration. Anamul Haque Bijoy and Naim Sheikh provided a solid foundation with a 43-run opening stand, though Bijoy was dismissed for 19. The real backbone of the innings, however, was the century partnership between Naim Sheikh and Parvez Hossain Emon.
Emon showcased maturity beyond his years, scoring a composed 52 off 65 deliveries. At the other end, Naim Sheikh looked destined for a triple-digit score, playing with elegance and power. Heartbreak struck for Naim, however, as he fell just one run shy of a well-deserved century, dismissed by Abu Hashim for a magnificent 99. His 107-ball stay featured 9 boundaries and 2 towering sixes.
While the middle order saw Towhid Hridoy and Rishad Hossain struggle to build momentum, Afif Hossain provided the necessary push at the death. His unbeaten 49 from 49 balls, combined with Mohammad Saifuddin’s explosive 20 off just 12 deliveries, allowed Mohammedan to breach the 300-run mark.
The Chase: Dipu Steers the Ship
Chasing 304 for victory required a disciplined approach from Prime Bank, and they delivered exactly that. The opening pair of Azizul Hakim Tamim and Shahadat Hossain Dipu laid the groundwork with a crucial 53-run partnership. While Tamim contributed 20 and Ariful Islam added 31, the innings revolved entirely around the masterclass provided by Dipu.
Veteran campaigner Mahmudullah Riyad, often the man for such pressure situations, was unable to convert his start into a significant total, departing for 36 off 51 balls. As wickets fell, the required run rate began to climb, but Dipu remained an island of calm in the middle.
A Dramatic Conclusion
The pressure eased significantly as Akbar Ali joined the fray, injecting energy into the chase with a quickfire 40 off 30 balls. This allowed Dipu to find his rhythm and reach his century. His final tally of 118 runs from 123 deliveries, embellished with 10 fours and 2 sixes, will undoubtedly be remembered as one of the finest individual performances of this DPL season.
Following Dipu’s departure, the game could have easily slipped away, but Shamim Hossain ensured there would be no late collapse. He played an aggressive cameo, smashing 37 runs from a mere 21 balls, including 3 massive sixes. With Abu Hider Rony adding a vital 14 from just 6 balls, Prime Bank navigated the final overs with precision. They successfully reached the target with five balls to spare, clinching a victory that highlighted both the depth of their batting lineup and the individual brilliance of Shahadat Hossain Dipu. This win serves as a massive morale booster for Prime Bank, proving their credentials as serious title contenders in this year’s competition.
