Six time champions Dhaka Abahani Limited Limited became runners up in the 12-team Bangladesh Premier League (BPL) Football crushing three times champions Sheikh Jamal DC by 5-0 goal at Shaheed Direndranath Dutta Stadium in Cumilla on Tuesday.
Local striker Nabib Newaj Jibon struck twice ( 77th and 82nd minutes), local forward Emon Mahmud (5th minute), Brazilian booter Raphael Augusto (38th minute) and Russian World Cup playing Costa Rica booter Daniel Colindres (42nd minute) scored one each for Abahani, which dominated the first half by 3-0 goals.
With the day's well merited victory, Dhaka Abahani finished runners up with two matches to spare securing 44 points from 20 matches while Sheikh Jamal Dhanmondi Club remained at 4th slot with their previous credit of 34 points, playing 20 ties
In the remaining two matches, Dhaka Abahani will play fresh hattrick champions Badhundhara Kings on July 25 and meet lowly Uttara Baridhara Club on July 31 results of which will not affect their runners-up position.
Read: Bashundhara lift BPL title for 3rd time in a row beating Saif
Earlier on Monday, Bashundhara Kings earned a rare feat of clinching the hattrick title of BPL Football after Dhaka Abahani, which won the BPL title for a record six times, including first three times in row in the year 2007, 2008-2009, 2009-2010.
Bashundhara Kings, which was deprived of the season's two major soccer trophies--Independence Cup and Federation Cup Football, assured the ongoing 12-team league crown in the 20th round match on Monday securing 51 points with 16 win, three draw and lone defeat against newcomers Swadhinata KS in the league opener.
However, the King will play remaining two league matches against Dhaka Abahani Ltd on July 24 and Sheikh Jamal DC on July 30, results of which will not affect their league championship.