Prime Bank Cricket Club has made history by becoming the first team in Bangladesh to score over 400 runs in a List A match. In a thrilling start to the 46th edition of the Dhaka Premier Division Cricket League (DPL), Prime Bank posted a massive total of 422 for 8 in 50 overs, with Mohammad Naim leading the charge with a career-best 176. This remarkable achievement has set the tone for what is expected to be the most competitive DPL season in the last 15 years, with the top seven teams all earning four points each from the opening round.
The first week of the season, which began on March 3, saw some surprising results. While there were impressive totals, including two other 300-plus scores, there were also teams bowled out for less than 100 runs, highlighting the unpredictable nature of the competition. Defending champions Abahani Limited, despite concerns about financial constraints due to their political affiliations with the Awami League, remain one of the top six teams, demonstrating their resilience early in the season.
Coming off the back of Bangladesh’s disappointing Champions Trophy campaign, the spotlight is on whether the DPL, regarded as the country’s premier domestic competition, will offer the chance for new talent to shine.
Best Batters
Mohammad Naim has firmly established himself as the leading batter in domestic cricket this season. His outstanding knock of 176 against Brothers Union was the cornerstone of Prime Bank’s formidable total. Naim, who has adopted a more measured approach to his strokeplay, is now focusing on playing just three or four key shots to accumulate runs, and his ability to consistently rotate the strike with ones and twos has been particularly impressive.
Best Bowlers
Tanvir Islam, the left-arm spinner for Legends of Rupganj, has had an excellent start to the season, taking three wickets in each of the first three matches. His spell of 3 for 15 against Shinepukur Cricket Club and 3 for 23 against Gazi Group Cricketers showcased his skill. Having struggled in the Bangladesh Premier League (BPL), Tanvir will be eager to continue his good form in the DPL, where he reached 150 List A wickets and completed 100 matches in the format on March 10.
Best Match
The most exciting match of the week saw Prime Bank overcome a challenging situation to defeat Rupganj Tigers by three wickets. Batting first, Rupganj were bowled out for 216 in 48.4 overs. However, Prime Bank’s chase seemed in jeopardy when they slipped to 23 for 4 in just the third over. After dismissals of openers Naim and Sabbir Hossain for ducks and Zakir Hasan’s early departure, followed by the run-out of captain Irfan Sukkur, Prime Bank appeared to be in deep trouble.
Yet, Shamim Hossain’s brilliant unbeaten 98 off 83 balls, which included ten fours and four sixes, anchored the chase. He was supported by Khaled Ahmed, whose 28 off 37 balls helped put on an unbroken eighth-wicket partnership of 110 runs. Shahadat Hossain also contributed a quickfire fifty, propelling Prime Bank to victory in a tense finish.
Points to Ponder
The early stages of the DPL have seen a close contest, with all seven of the top teams currently on four points. Other teams such as Gulshan Cricket Club, Partex Sporting Club, Shinepukur, and Brothers Union have managed to secure two points each. Rupganj Tigers, however, remain the only team without a point after three losses.
Players to Watch
Brothers Union’s 21-year-old batter, Mahfijul Islam, has been the top scorer so far in the competition, having struck a century and a half-century in the first three matches. Parvez Hossain Emon, who has returned from the Champions Trophy, has also been in fine form, scoring a century and a fifty in his first few matches.
With the competition heating up, the DPL promises to offer more thrilling cricket in the weeks to come.