Abahani-Mohammedan tie, let it be in cricket or football, had once been a sensation. The stands for the games involving the two teams used to get jam-packed and brawls between the supporters were a common scenario.
However, as time passed the rivalry between the two legendary clubs of the country lost the heat. The players became more professional with the progression of time and the majority of the cricketers change their respective clubs every season.
For now, it is only the keenest of followers who are found attending the game. With that said, the two clubs are set to lock horn for the first time in the Dhaka Premier Division Cricket League season 2017-18 Monday at Mirpur Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium in Dhaka. And the Cricket Committee of Dhaka Metropolis has made arrangements to mark the occasion.
Miking was made around the Mirpur area to raise awareness of the 50-over battle between the two the sides at the home of cricket and the gates will be free of admission.
As far as the situation of the teams is concerned this season, Abahani Limited are on a roll with five wins in as many games. For Mohammedan Sporting Club Limited, the journey has been a rollercoaster one as they have won three of the five matches played so far.
Led by Mashrafe bin Mortaza, Abahani are confident ahead of the clash. The Dhanmondi-based club are boosted with several national cricketers and their middle-order batsman Mosaddek Hossain believes they are ahead on pen and paper.
“All the teams are pretty balanced but I think Abahani are the best on pen and paper. It will be tough for the opponent to win if the Abahani players perform to their name and reputation,” said Mosaddek.
In contrast, Mohammedan had acquired the service of ace all-rounder Shakib al Hasan from the players’ draft. But injury has put the Bangladesh star out of action for Mohammedan and put the reign on the hands of national discard Shamsur Rahman.
“Honestly Abahani-Mohammedan game has lost its charm over the years but for the players I believe it is still the same excitement. These two are legendary clubs of the country and I hope [Monday] we will see good competition,” said Shamsur to Dhaka Tribune Sunday.
Abahani won both their DPL matches against Mohammedan last season while the year before that, the two teams were victorious in one game each.
