Gazi clinch DPL title in spite of loss

Gazi Group Cricketers had the last laugh as they clinched the title of the Dhaka Premier Division Cricket League 2016-17 season despite ending their campaign on a losing note on Tuesday. Gazi lost their final game of the season to Prime Doleshwar Sporting Club by six wickets at the BKSP ground 4 on reserve day. The championship however, was confirmed two days ago, on Monday, when Abahani Limited won their last game of the season against Sheikh Jamal Dhanmondi Club by six wickets in a rain affected game. Gazi's defeat to Doleshwar meant Abahani finished with 24 points. Gazi and Doleshwar also have the same number of points but better head-to-head record separated the former from the latter and the Sky Blues. Gazi resumed the day on 142 runs for the loss of five wickets with Jahurul Islam unbeaten on 50. Jahurul stretched his innings to 87 off as many deliveries with the help of seven boundaries and two sixes. Gazi eventually finished on 222 losing all their wickets in 49.1 overs. Farhad Reza picked up three wickets for Doleshwar. In reply, riding on Punit Bisht’s unbeaten 89 and Sharifullah’s undefated 51, Doleshwar down chased the target in 44.3 overs losing four wickets. The other game between Prime Bank Cricket Club and Mohammedan Sporting Club Limited was also pushed back to the reserve day due to rain. Prime won the affair by six wickets to finish the season on 20 points and fourth in the standings. The game on Tuesday resumed with Mohammedan batting on 187/6. The Black and Whites eventually scored 215 before being dismissed in 49.4 overs. Al Amin Hossain boosted Prime's cause with four wickets. Nazmul Hossain Milon top-scored with 53. Chasing the target, Rafatullah Mohmand struck 88 while Mehedi Maruf scored 57 to take Prime to the shore in 43.5 overs.BRIEF SCORESPrime 216/4 in 43.5 overs (Rafatullah 88, Maruf 57) beat Mohammedan 215 in 49.4 overs (Milon 53, Al Amin 4/35) by six wicketsDoleshwar 224/4 in 44.3 overs (Bisht 89*, Sharifullah 51*) beat Gazi 222 in 49.1 overs (Jahurul 87, Farhad 3/31) by six wickets THURSDAY'S MATCHKhelaghar v Victoria, Fatullah POINTS TABLETeams M W L PtsGazi 16 12 4 24Abahani 16 12 4 24Doleshwar 16 12 4 24Prime 16 10 6 20Mohammedan 16 8 8 16Jamal 16 7 9 14