Abahani Limited emerged as the champions of the Dhaka Premier League 2023 after securing a four-wicket victory over defending champions Sheikh Jamal Dhanmondi Club in the official-final at Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium Saturday.
Both Abahani and Jamal had 24 points each under the belt before taking on each other in the last round of the Super League.
Sheikh Jamal had denied Abahani the title last season.
Abahani finished the season with 28 points to clinch their 22nd Dhaka League title.
After being invited to bat first, Sheikh Jamal posted 283 runs for Abahani to chase.
The target was reached easily by the Dhanmondi-based club after in-form openers Anamul Haque and Mohammad Naim put on 145 runs.
Naim made 68 off 79 deliveries while Anamul scored 72, laced with four boundaries and as many over boundaries, off 81 balls.
Abahani were in trouble following quick dismissals of Mahmudul Hasan [nine] and Jaker Ali [21] but found Afif Hossain to the rescue.
The national discard stayed unbeaten on 60 off 53 deliveries with four fours and two sixes to help the legendary club lift yet another trophy.
Taibur Rahman and overseas recruit Parvez Rasool picked up two wickets each for Sheikh Jamal.
Earlier, Sheikh Jamal posted a competitive total despite losing first three wickets inside the first five overs of the innings with just 16 runs on the board.
Fazle Mahmud and Taibur Rahman steadied the innings with 81-run stand for the fourth wicket.
Fazle added 40 off 70 while Taibur made 53.
Sheikh Jamal captain Nurul Hasan remained unbeaten on 89.
His 70-ball innings featured eight boundaries and four over boundaries.
Tanvir Islam and Tanzim Hasan Sakib bagged two wickets apiece for Abahani.
Naim and Anamul finished as the top two run-scorers of the season.
Naim scored 932 in 16 innings with an average of 71.69 while Anamul at No 2 totalled 834 runs, also in 16 innings, with an average of 59.57.
Rasool notched 33 wickets in 16 innings to emerge as the highest wicket taker.
Chirag Jani of Legends of Rupganj was named Player of the Tournament for his all-round performance.
The Indian cricketer secured 24 wickets in 15 innings and garnered 669 runs in 16 knocks.
