Mohammad Saifuddin’s versatile performance propelled Abahani Limited to a 22-run victory against Old DOHS Club in Bangabandhu Dhaka Premier Division T20 League at the Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium in Mirpur on Thursday.
Runs were not coming, wickets were falling at regular intervals for Abahani. Then all-rounder Mohammad Saifuddin came in and saved Abahani Limited from the edge of the abyss with his all-round performance. He played a stormy innings at a crucial time. Later, he also excelled with the ball as well and performed to his very best.
Chasing 136 in a rain interrupted match, Old DOHS have scored 113 runs losing three wickets in 19 overs, opener Anisul Islam Emon and Rakin Ahmed made a decent start to their innings, collected 53 runs for the opening stand. Anisul (20) was returned by Shohidul Islam. On the other hand, Rakin Ahmed (43) was castled by Saifuddin when he was in short 7 runs to hit his fifty.
Then, Mahmudul Hasan Joy returned to the pavilion through Arafat Sunny, who scored 15 runs. Joy was the biggest batting hope in the DOHS lineup. The batsman, who won the Youth World Cup, played a 78-run innings in the first match that was washed away in the rain, could not do it this time. He came in at number three and was dismissed after playing a 20-ball 15. After that, DOHS were almost out of contest. The rest of the batsmen have only been able to reduce the run margin in a 22-run defeat. Saifuddin was the peak of the bowlers as he scalped 2 wickets and gave away only 15 runs in his 4 allotted overs. Earlier, losing the toss Abahani Limited batted first, they scored 135 losing six wickets in the allotted 19 overs. The opening pair Mohammad Naim (23) and Munim Shahriar (16) could not gave a good start. Then, Najmul Hossain Shanto (10) returned early as Mohaiminul Khan castled him with a catch to Rakibul Islam.
Abahani were losing wickets at regular intervals captain Mushfiqur Rahim (6) also could not settle down. Mosaddek scored 8 runs before his departure and Afif Hossain remained unbeaten on 27 runs off 29 deliveries. Meanwhile, bowling all-rounder Saifuddin played a stormy innings of 40 runs off 19 balls comprised with 2 fours and 3 sixes. Afif and Saifuddin produced 61-run for the sixth wicket stand. While, Rakibul and Mohaiminul picked up two wickets each and Anisul Islam Emon, Abdur Rashid got wicket each.
