Legends of Rupganj kept their Dhaka Premier Division Cricket League place intact beating Old DOHS by six wickets in the Relegation League clash on Tuesday at Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium.

The veteran allrounder and Rupganj captain, Naeem Islam, bagged two wickets conceding 12 runs in two overs and scored 27 off 14 balls with one six and four fours. He also won the player of the match award for his match-winning performance.

In order to avoid relegation to the first divisional league, it was a do-or-die affair for Rupganj. In this match, they won the toss and opted to bowl first. The rain-hit game was interrupted regularly, and which eventually reduced the game to 18-over a side.

DOHS posted 117 for six despite a wonderful knock of 51 off 39 by Anisul Islam Emon. Mahmudul Hasan Joy and Aliss Al Islam were the two other batsmen to do well for DOHS scoring 20 each.

For Rupganj, Hossain Ali bagged three wickets conceding 23 runs in three overs while Naeem took two.

In reply, Rupganj lost two wickets within 29 runs. They recovered this early damage riding on the 61-run stand between Sabbir Rahman and Mehedi Maruf. But both were dismissed by Abdur Rashid off two successive deliveries scoring 30 each.

In the last three overs, Rupganj needed to score 23 off 18 balls with six wickets in hand. Naeem smashed a six and a four off Abdur Rashid in the 16th over to ease the final job. He cleared Al Islam for a four in the next over and close the match well. Off the first ball of the last over, Naeem hit another four off Abdur Rashid and sealed the game for Rupganj. Naeem and Al Amin remained unbeaten for 27 and 7 respectively.

While Rupganj kept their Premier League place intact, Old DOHS and Partex Sporting Club relegated to the First Division. They will now have to be champions or runners-up in the First Division in order to take part in the next edition of the Premier League.