Local giant Mohammedan Sporting Club Limited missed out on a spot in the Super League of the prestigious Bangabandhu Dhaka Premier Division Cricket League, despite winning their last round robin game against Legends of Rupganj in Savar Friday.
The Motijheel based outfit finished with 10 points from as many matches, the same as fifth and sixth placed sides Rupganj Tigers Cricket Club and Gazi Group Cricketers, but the former ended outside the top six Super League places due to inferior net run rate.
Table toppers Lt. Sheikh Jamal Dhanmondi Club Ltd meanwhile, concluded their round robin campaign at the summit with 18 points after their victory against City Club in Mirpur.
Second placed Abahani Ltd and Rupganj and Prime Bank Cricket Club at third and fourth respectively are the other teams who advanced to the Super League.
In the other match of the day in Savar, Brothers Union beat Khelaghar Samaj Kalyan Samity in what was a game of mere formality as the two teams had already confirmed their participation in the three-team relegation league.
City Club will complete the relegation league.
Two teams among the three will keep their place in the country's premier 50-over tournament, with the other getting demoted to the First Division Cricket League.
Prime Doleshwar Sporting Club have already been relegated after withdrawing from this year's competition.
Two teams from the First Division Cricket League will get promoted to the Dhaka Premier League.
Mohammedan v Rupganj
Mohammedan overcame Rupganj by 80 runs but in the end, it was not enough to confirm a Super League berth.
In pursuit of bettering their NRR, Mohammedan batted first and posted 307 before getting all out in 47.5 overs, riding on Sri Lankan batsman Kusal Mendis' 91-ball 101, studded with seven fours and four sixes.
Opener Parvez Hossain Emon (76 off 68) and captain Mahmudullah (70 off 47) also struck quickfire fifties to take Mohammedan to a good total.
Rupganj left-arm seamer Mehedi Hasan Rana bagged four wickets.
In reply, Rupganj were dismissed for 227 in 49.1 overs with Mohammedan left-arm spinner Nazmul Islam causing the most damage taking five wickets for 35 runs in his quota of 10 overs, including two maidens.
Seasoned campaigner Naeem Islam top-scored for Rupganj with 80.
Sheikh Jamal v City Club
Sheikh Jamal defeated City Club by 53 runs in a low-scoring match.
Asked to bat first, Sheikh Jamal were skittled out for 197 in 46.2 overs; skipper Imrul Kayes scoring the highest 61.
City Club's Abdul Halim and Moinul Islam took three wickets each.
In pursuit of 198, City Club lost wickets at regular intervals and were eventually bundled out for 144 in 43.1 overs.
Sheikh Jamal's Robiul Islam Robi picked up three wickets.
Captain Jawad Royen top-scored with 45 in a disappointing batting display by City Club.
Brothers v Khelaghar
Brothers beat bottom side Khelaghar by 13 runs.
Invited to bat first, Brothers registered 306/5 in 50 overs, thanks to an unbeaten 74-ball 89 from wicketkeeper-batsman Dhiman Ghosh and 75-ball 88 from Aminul Islam.
Chasing 307, Khelaghar put in a fighting effort but eventually ended their reply on 293 in 49.2 overs.
Stumper-batsman Pritom Kumar (72) and Elias Sunny (62) chipped in with valuable contributions but Khelaghar ultimately fell short.
Brothers' left-arm spinner Saqlain Sajib bagged four wickets.
BRIEF SCORES
Sheikh Jamal 197 in 46.2 overs (Imrul 61, Moinul 3/38) beat City Club 144 in 43.1 overs (Jawad 45, Robiul 3/19) by 53 runs
Mohammedan 307 in 47.5 overs (Mendis 101, Emon 76) beat Rupganj 227 in 49.1 overs (Naeem 80, Nazmul 5/35) by 80 runs
Brothers 306/5 (Dhiman 89, Aminul 88) beat Khelaghar 293 in 49.2 overs (Pritom 72, Saqlain 4/53) by 13 runs