United News of Bangladesh

Mohammedan Sporting Club clinched a four-wicket win over Gazi Group Cricketers in the Dhaka Premier Division Cricket League Super League match on Saturday. In other matches, Abahani Limited and Agrani Bank also registered wins. Chasing 237, Mohammedan reached the target off the final ball, finishing at 237 for 6. Mohammad Saifuddin starred with 3 for 42 and an unbeaten 30, while Rony Talukdar contributed 55 runs at the top. Earlier, Gazi Group posted 236, thanks to Munim Shahriar’s 80. Mustafizur Rahman and Saifuddin shared six wickets between them to keep Mohammedan in control. At BKSP Ground 4, Abahani overpowered Legends of Rupganj by seven wickets. Mosaddek Hossain delivered a superb spell, taking 4 for 41 to restrict Rupganj to 225 for 9. In the chase, Parvez Hossain Emon scored 73, and Jishan Alam added 63, helping Abahani cruise to 226 for 3 with 12.3 overs to spare. Meanwhile, Agrani Bank Cricket Club beat Gulshan Cricket Club by 137 runs at BKSP Ground 3. Imranuzzaman led the charge with a sparkling 123 off 108 balls, while Pritom Kumar blasted 59 from just 29 balls to lift Agrani to 340 for 7. Gulshan CC never got going in their chase and were bowled out for 203. Sandip Roy starred with the ball, grabbing 5 for 35. After winning in this round, Abahani strengthened their hold at the top of the Super League table with 26 points from 15 matches, winning 13 games. Mohammedan follow closely behind with 24 points, securing 12 wins. Agrani Bank sit at the bottom among the six teams, with 16 points from 15 matches after winning eight games.  

Legends of Rupganj, Abahani Limited, and Gulshan Cricket Club registered wins on a rain-hit day in the Dhaka Premier Division Cricket League Super League first round on Thursday. All three Super League first-round matches were hit by rain.  At Mirpur, Legends of Rupganj beat Mohammedan Sporting Club by nine wickets in a match shortened to 22 overs per side. Put in to bat, Mohammedan could only manage 117 for 7 in 29.4 overs, with Anisul Islam Emon top-scoring with 35. Tanvir Islam starred with the ball, returning figures of 3 for 37. In reply, Rupganj chased a revised target of 93 in just 13.2 overs, thanks to a 55-run knock from Saif Hassan and an unbeaten 36 from Soumya Sarkar. At the BKSP Ground 4 in Savar, Gulshan Cricket Club edged past Gazi Group Cricketers by three wickets in another DLS-affected game. Chasing 162 in 22 overs, Gulshan rode on a blistering 56 not out from Naeem Islam and a quick 43 from Mehedi Hasan to reach the target with two balls to spare. Earlier, Gazi Group posted 110 for 3 in 23.3 overs, with Sadikur Rahman contributing 36. In another venue in BKSP, Abahani Limited kept their title push on track with a four-wicket win over Agrani Bank. Chasing a target of 157 from 22 overs, Abahani recovered from an early double blow to seal the win with 16 balls in hand. Jishan Alam led the way with 46 off 27 balls, while Shamsul Islam and Mahfuzur Rahman Rabby provided the finishing touches. Agrani had earlier reached 109 for 3 in 24.4 overs, with skipper Imrul Kayes remaining unbeaten on 48.  

Six-time champions, Dhaka Abahani Limited dropped points with Brothers Union Club as the ninth round match of the Bashundhara Kings Bangladesh Premier League (BPL) Football ended in a goalless draw at the Bir Shreshtho Fl Lt Matiur Rahman Stadium in Munshiganj on Saturday. Despite the day’s draw in a keenly contested match, the sky-blue Dhanmondi outfit Abahani Ltd, without any foreign players, maintained their second slot in the league table, securing 20 points from all nine first-phase matches, while the Gopibagh outfit Brothers Union remained at the 5th slot with 15 points from nine encounters. Pakistan head coach Aaqib Javed backs spin pitches for home test matches Meanwhile, Dhaka Mohammedan SC comfortably dominated the 10-team league, securing 24 points from nine outings despite conceding the first defeat against lowly Youngsmen’s Club Fakirerpool by a 0-1 goal in their ninth match on Friday. Last season’s treble winners, Bashundhara Kings, completed the nine-match first phase league in the third slot, collecting 17 points, while the old Dhaka outfit Rahmatganj MFS is in the fourth place by virtue of better goal differences, securing equal 15 points like the Brothers Union. Abahani’s national-coloured custodian, Mitul Marma, who did not concede any goals in the last six matches, also displayed his brilliance in the day’s match, saving some good opponent’s attempts and being adjudged player of the match. Ashraful Islam Rana of Brothers Union also played entertaining football in the match. In the day’s other match, Fortis FC advanced to the 6th slot in the league table, beating bottom-ranked Chittagong Abahani Limited by a 1-0 goal at the Bashundhara Kings Arena Saturday afternoon. 10th Shah Cement AKS Cup Golf Tournament begins Gambian defender Essa Jallow scored the match-winning goal for Fortis FC in the 34th minute. Fortis FC bagged 11 points from nine outings to move up to 6th place while Chittagong Abahani Limited remained at the bottom with three points from nine encounters.

In a titans battle, Dhaka Abahani Limited, without any foreign booters, upset their traditional rivals Dhaka Mohammedan SC beating them by  1-0 goal in the Federation Cup Football at the Shaheed Dhirendranath Dutta Stadium in Cumilla Tuesday afternoon. After a barren first half, forward Mohammad Ibrahim scored the match winning goal for sky-blue Dhanmondi outfit Abahani in the 74th minute ((1-0)). With the day's well merited victory with the limited resources, Dhaka Abahani not only assured their berth in next round (qualifiers/eliminator),  but also took sweet revenge of their 0-1 goal defeat against Mohammedan in the 3rd round of ongoing BPL football, also in Cumilla last month. After the match, Dhaka Abahani Ltd are in the 2nd slot in Group B  with all- win record securing full six points from straight two matches while Rahmatganj MFS topped group list also with all-win run by better goal differences despite of collecting six points from two outings. With the day's debacle, the next round berth of traditional black & whites Mohammedan now became uncertain with three points from three matches. The day's other Group B match between two lowly teams--Youngmen’s Club Fakirerpool and bottom ranked Chittagong Abahani Limited ended in 2-2 draw  at the Rafiq Uddin Bhuiyan Stadium in Mymensingh Tuesday afternoon. Saiful and Sabuj scored for Chittagong Abahani one in each half while Akobir and Shanto Tudu netted for Youngmen's Club Fakirerpool, also one in each half. Fed Cup Football: Dhaka Mohammedan SC will lock horn with Dhaka Abahani Ltd in a vital Group A match on Tuesday Grouping of Federation Cup: Group A -Bashundhara Kings, Bangladesh Police FC, Fortis FC, Brothers Union Club and Dhaka Wanderers Club Group B - Mohammedan SC Ltd, Dhaka Abahani Ltd, Chattagram Abahani Ltd, Rahmatganj MFS and Fakirerpool Youngmen's Club. Later, top two teams from each of the two groups will play in the meet's next round (qualification and elimination) like the Franchisee cricket league.

Former champions Dhaka Abahani Limited made a winning start  while last time's runners up Dhaka Mohammedan SC conceded defeat in the 10-team Federation Cup Football at two separate venues across the country on Tuesday. Dhaka Mohammedan SC, which shocked last season's treble winners Bashundhara Kings beating them by 1-0 goal in a BPL match last week, today (Tuesday) made a frustrating journey in Fed Cup Football losing to Rahmatganj MFS by 0-1 goal at the Bashundhara Kings Arena. This was the 2nd successive defeat for traditional black and whites Mohammedan at the Basundhara Kings Arena (ground)  this season after conceding 1-3 defeat against the Kings in the one-match Challenge Cup Football recently. Rajon Hawlader scored the match winning goal for the old Dhaka outfit Rahmatganj in the 83rd minute by an angular rebound shot (1-0). Rahmatganj started the season brilliantly winning all three matches after winning two consecutive  BPL matches.. Although, Rahmatganj winning the day' s match, but Mohammedan SC played a better game and they did everything except scoring goal from half dozen of good opportunities. Rahmatganj goalkeeper Mamun Alif   also performed brilliantly under the bar and foiled a series of Mohammedan good attempts. Fed Cup Football: Traditional rivals Mohammedan, Abahani start campaign on Tuesday Mohammedan SC were restricted to 10-men in the 85th minute as their player Shanto hit one of the opponent's booters. In the day's other match, Dhaka Abahani Ltd, without any foreign players,  made a flying start beating their minnow Chittagong Abahani Ltd by 3-0 goals at the Shaheed Dhirendranath Dutta Stadium in Cumilla on Tuesday. Sumon Reza opened the Abahani account in the 17th minute by a good header, off a Kamrul Islam free kick and led the first half by 1-0 goal. Mohammad Ibrahim doubled the Dhaka Abahani margin in the 76th minute by a placing shot (2-0) while Yeasin Khan sealed the fate of the scoring 3rd goal in the 88th minute (3-0).,  Earlier in the tournament opener on last Tuesday, Holders Bashundhara Kings managed 1-0 goal victory over Brothers Union Club while the other opening day's day's match between Bangladesh Police FC and Fortis FC ended in a goalless draw. Ten premier division league clubs, split into two groups, are initially participating  in the first phase of the Federation Cup Football at three venues in Dhaka, Mymensingh and Cumilla   Grouping of Federation Cup: Group A -Bashundhara Kings, Bangladesh Police FC, Fortis FC, Brothers Union Club and Dhaka Wanderers Club Group B - Mohammedan SC Ltd, Dhaka Abahani Ltd, Chattagram Abahani Ltd, Rahmatganj MFS and Fakirerpool Youngmen's Club. Later, top two teams from each of the groups will play in the meet's next round (qualification and elimination) like the Franchisee  Cricket League    

A 27-member Dhaka Abahani Limited reached Kolkata on Monday (Aug 21) without three key players to play Mohun Bagan Super Giant of Kolkata in a play-off match of the AFC Cup Football 2023-24. The six times Bangladesh Premier League (BPL) champions and curren runners-up Dhaka Abahani Limited will face Kolkata giant Mohun Bagan Super Giant on Tuesday (Aug 22) at 7:30 pm Bangladesh time at the Salt Lake Stadium in Kolkata. Also read : AFC Cup Football : Dhaka Abahani to fly for Kolkata Monday to play Mohun Bagan SG in play-off match The winners of the match will qualify for the final round (Group Stage) of the 19th edition of the Asia's secondary club football tournament,  will begin on September 18. Dhaka Abahani, which reached Kolkata in two batches --- first batch in the morning and the 2nd batch at 12 noon, dropped their three key players -custodian Pritom, Alomgir Molla and Emon Babu for fever and injuries. Also read : Prospects of Bangladesh in 2023 Asia Cup ODI Tournament Earlier, Dhaka Abahani Limited has a plan to fly for Kolkata Sunday evening, but they are compelled to change schedule as they got Indian visa in late  (Sunday afternoon). Abahani  scheduled to make their first and only practice session at the match venue in Kolkata today (Monday) evening. Earlier in the preliminary round,  Dhaka Abahani advanced to the play-off stage of the AFC Cup Football eliminating Club Eagles of the Maldives by 2-1 goals at the Sylhet District Stadium Wednesday afternoon. Also read : Messi leads Inter Miami to first ever trophy in Leagues Cup final On the other hand,  Kolkata Mohun Club eliminated Machhindra FC of Kathmandu beating them by 3-1 goals at the Kolkata Salt Lake Stadium, also in the Wednesday evening. Dhaka Abahani and Kolkata Mohun Bagan Club faced each other on three occasions where Mohun Bagan Club enjoying upper hand beating Dhaka Abahani twice, both by 3-1 goals, while the remaining match ended in 1-1 draw. Ahead of the match, it was learnt  that, the Mohan Bagan Club are in tense situation following inclusion of three foreign booters --Nigerian forward Ifegwu Ojukwu of Nigeria, St Vincent winger Cornelius Stewart and Brazilian defender Danilu-- in the Abahani line-up.  Mohun Bagan officials assumed that the Abahani did not followed the proper process and guidelines to recruit the above three foreign players in their squad.

Abahani Limited defeated Shinepukur Cricket Club by 20 runs on Sunday in the Dhaka Premier Division Cricket League (DPDCL). The other two matches of the day were abandoned because of inclement weather. In a rain-affected match at Khan Shaheb Osman Ali Stadium, Abahani Ltd. overcame Shinepukur Cricket Club by 10 runs. After winning the toss and choosing to field first, Abahani Ltd. restricted Shinepukur Cricket Club to 196/8 in 33 overs. Tanvir Islam was the standout bowler, claiming three wickets for 27 runs. In response, Abahani Ltd. reached the target of 104 runs in 21 overs, losing just one wicket. Anamul Haque Bijoy remained unbeaten on 54, while Naim Sheikh contributed 43 runs. The match was shortened to 21 overs due to rain, and Abahani Ltd. emerged victorious via the DLS method. The clash between Rupganj Tigers Cricket Club and Mohammedan Sporting Club was abandoned because of poor weather conditions. Rupganj Tigers Cricket Club posted 222/5 in 21 overs against Mohammedan Sporting Club at the Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium. Mominul Haque scored 74 runs, while Syed Khaled Ahmed took two wickets. The match was called off at this juncture. Another match of the day was also abandoned due to unfavorable weather at BKSP. Gazi Group Cricketers faced Dhaka Leopards at the BKSP-3 Ground in Savar. After winning the toss, Dhaka Leopards opted to field first. Gazi Group Cricketers managed to score 97/3 in 20 overs, with T Ravi Teja top-scoring at 33 runs. In reply, Dhaka Leopards were 77/4 in 13.1 overs, with Pinak Ghosh scoring 40 runs. However, the match was called off due to bad light. Sumon Khan from Gazi Group Cricketers was the best bowler, taking 2 wickets for just 8 runs in 2 overs.    

Right-handed batter Anamul Haque Bijoy continued to shine with the bat in the Dhaka Premier Division Cricket League. In his first match of the Super League stage, Anamul hit 77 for Prime Bank Cricket Club against Abahani Limited and led his team to seal the match at Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium. It was Anamul's sixth fifty in the league. He also has two centuries under his belt in the ongoing event. The right-handed batter already passed the 800-run mark. Abahani won the toss and opted to bowl first. Prime Bank posted 273 runs for nine wickets riding on the 77 of Anamul and 44, 43 of Mohammad Mithun and Yasir Ali respectively. Shahadat Hossain and Mahedi Hasan also did well with the bat scoring 38 and 34. For Abahani, Dhananjaya de Silva was the best bowler taking 3 wickets conceding 57 runs in 10 overs while Mohammad Saifuddin also bagged two wickets for them. In reply, Abahani tumbled for 131 for 10 wickets in 32.4 overs and lost the match by 142 runs. Captain Mosaddek Hossain scored 65 but the failure of the top five batters cost them the match. Only one of the top five batters of them was able to reach a double-digit score. Rakibul Hasan and Nasir Hossain scalped three wickets each for Prime Bank. READ: Bangladesh likely to tour Australia and England in the forthcoming ICC FTP fixtures In the match between Legends of Rupganj and Rupganj Tigers Cricket Club in BKSP, Sabbir Hossain of Legends of Rupganj hit his first century of the season and guided his team to a 55-run win. Along with Sabbir, Chirag Jani also did well with the bat scoring 95 not-out for Legends of Rupanj. In reply to Legends of Rupganj’s 325 for five, the Rupganj Tigers socred 270 and lost the match. For them, Saad Nasim of Pakistan hit 116 but his effort was not enough for them to avoid a defeat. In the other Super League match between Sheikh Jamal Dhanmondi Club and Gazi Group Cricketers in BKSP, Sheikh Jamal won by 72 runs. Parvez Rasool won the player of the match award for his 77 runs and three-wicket haul for Sheikh Jamal. And in the only match of the Relegation League, Khelaghar Samaj Kalyan Samity beat City Club by 85 runs in Fatullah.

Dhaka Abahani Limited got a walkover against Valencia Club of the Maldives in a play off match of the AFC Cup Football. Dhaka Abahani Limited scheduled to play Valencia Club of the Maldives in a AFC Cup play-off match on Tuesday (April 12) at Sylhet District Stadium, but the Valencia Club did not arrive here Sunday night as per schedule due to their financial crisis. They informed the withdrawal of their team from the meet and duly informed it to  the Bangladesh Football Federation and AFC in dying moment and the AFC cancelled the match awarding walkover to Dhaka Abahani against Valencia.  However, the official decision of the AFC is expected to reach here by Monday night. READ: BPL Football: Sk Russel beat Swadhinata KS 2-1 Despite getting walkover, Dhaka Abahani will have to play another play-off match on April 19 against the winners of Kolkata Mohun bagan FC and Sri Lankan Blue Star SC.  If Abahani will able to win the 2nd play-off match on April 19 then they will qualify to play in the Group D of the AFC Cup alongwith Bashundhara Kings of Bangladesh, Gokulam Kerela of India and Maziya Club of the Maldives.

Coming from behind, Chittagong Abahani Ltd forced six time-champions Dhaka Abahani Ltd to taste first defeat in the 12-team Bangladesh Premier League (BPL) Football 2021-22 upsetting their superior Dhaka rivals by 3-2 goals at the Shaheed Dhirendranath Dutta Stadium in Cumilla Tuesday evening. With the day's debacle, the treble mission of the  Independence Cup and Federation Cup champions Dhaka Abahani  suffered a big blow and they went  down in the title race having 13 points from six encounters. Holders Bashundhara Kings dominate the league table  securing 15 points from six matches while Ctg Abahani also entered into  the title race collecting 12 points from six encounters. In the day's crucial match, Russian World Cup playing Costa Rica booter Daniel Colindres put Dhaka Abahani ahead in the 16th minute (1-0). READ: BPL Football: Ogbugh's hattrcik enable Saif SC to earn 5-1 win over Swadhinata KS But their lead was very short lived as Ctg Abahani's Nigerian forward Peter Ebimobowei Thankgod equalised the margin n the 20th minute (1-1). South African winger William Twala put Ctg Abahani ahead from behind in the 37th minute (2-1) to the frustration of Dhaka Abahani fans  Afghan midfielder Omid Popalzay scored the 3rd goal for  Ctg Abahani astonishing Dhaka Abahani tent in the 64th minute that ultimately assured the defeat of popular sky-blue Dhanmondi outfit (3-1). READ: BPL Football: Robinho's penalty secures the 3 points for Bashundhara Kings   However, Brazilian midfielder  Raphael Augusto pulled the margin one back just one minute before the final whistle (3-2) but failed to avoid the embarrassing defeat.