Mohammedan T20 champs

Mohammedan Sporting Club might not have had the favourites tag at the start of the Premier Division Twenty20 Tournament, but the popular Motijheel outfit lived up to the weight of expectations of their strong fan following by lifting the first title of the season with a 20-run victory over star-studded Gazi Tank in the final at the Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium in Mirpur yesterday.

Mohammedan's victory over Bangladesh captain Mohammad Ashraful-led Gazi Tank looked a reality when they put on a commanding 171-4 in their share of 20 overs, thanks to a fine half-century by Rokibul Hassan.
Gazi, in their chase, put on a brave fight but eventually finished on 151-7 in front of a modest crowd in Mirpur.
Although a T20 tournament means more than just a ball-bashing competition with India perhaps setting a high standard of how it would attract more audience and money, the effort on the part of Bangladesh Cricket Board was uninspiring to say the least. After a mundane week the organisers tried to inject some flavour in the latest version of the game with music blaring from the in-field sound system during the break in the final. But it definitely did not match the standard set in the middle by the two fighting teams let alone the buzz of the IPL.
There were a few entertaining innings from both sides and Rokibul was pick of them and his blistering knock eventually made the difference.
The national middle-order batsman milked the bowlers with singles and played some big shots during his unbeaten 40-ball 58 as Mohammedan piled up an impressive total after deciding to bat first.
The right-hander executed four beautiful boundaries and smashed two sixes but it was number six Dollar Mahmud who came up with a little whirlwind clobbering three towering sixes in his 15-ball 31 not out.
Nayeem Islam and captain Mohammad Ashraful were at the receiving end conceding 41 runs in four overs and 31 runs in three respectively.
Opener Nasiruddin Faruque however set the tone of the Mohammedan innings belting the first ball to the mid-wicket boundary. He made a brisk 29 off 16 balls that contained five fours and a six.
Mohammedan batsmen only showed respect to Gazi Tank right-arm paceman Rubel Hossain who conceded only eight runs in 3 overs.
Chasing a challenging total, Gazi desperately needed a similar act from their semifinal hero opener Imrul Kayes. But the left-hander got out for a duck edging the second delivery of the innings from Tareq Aziz Khan down the leg side to Nasiruddin Faruque.
Tareq struck again in his second over and the two quick blows left Gazi skipper Ashraful with a difficult task of winning the match. Mohammedan didn't have to wait long to see the back of dangerman Ashraful, who miscued an attempted pull straight to Tareq at deep square-leg.
Nafis Iqbal (41) and Nayeem Islam (39) tried to mend the early damages but their effort was not good enough against an ever-increasing run-rate.
Kamrul Islam however provided some real excitement to the game towards the end.
It was fantastic to watch the way the left-hander drove through the offside during his 15-ball 33 that featured five fours and a six but it was never going to be enough.
"Mohammedan deserved this victory because they were the better side today. I think it's a good final and we also played good cricket throughout the tournament," said Ashraful, who was adjudged player of the tournament for consistent batting.
On the other hand Sohrawordi Shuvo, the Mohammedan captain, said that it was not the big names but performance that count.
"We don't have star players in the team but we won as a unit who put their best effort in the field," said the all-rounder.
Earlier in the third-place deciding match at the same venue, Shakib Al Hasan returned to his usual self after a frustrating semifinal as Biman scored an eight-run victory over outgoing champions Abahani.
Shakib smashed four boundaries and three sixes as Biman made 148 for six in 20 overs after being sent into bat first.
In reply, Sahagir Hossain hit 26-ball 37 with the help of five fours and a six but still Abahani finished their 20-over quota for 140-8.

BRIEF SCORES:

MOHAMMEDAN: 171-4 in 20 overs (Shamsur 13, Nasiruddin 29, Rashedul 9, Rokibul 58 not out, Marshal 22, Dollar 31, extras 9; Kamrul 1-24, Rubel 1-8, Enamul 1-16, Nayeem 1-41)GAZI TANK: 151-7 in 20 overs (Kayes 0, Mithun 10, Ashraful 10, Nafis 43, Nayeem 39, Mukter 1, Hasan 2, Kamrul 33, Rubel 5 not out, extras 8; Tareq 2-25, Sajedul 2-30, Shuvo 3-24)

Result: Mohammedan won by 20 runs.

BIMAN: 148-6 in 20 overs (Zahurul 23, Shakib 48, Sajjad 22, extras 18; Shuvashis 2-28, Nasir 2-21)

ABAHANI: 140-8 in 20 overs (Rony 21, Sahagir 37, Nadif 19, extras 15; Shahadat 2-26, Mahbubul 2-38)Result:

Biman won by eight runs.