Mohammedan win Dhaka derby after five years

The rivalry is not as fierce as it was before, but whenever Abahani and Mohammedan face-off, it is rarely a dull affair. But what happened on Friday in Mirpur was beyond imagination. In a match full of drama, Mohammedan won by 31 runs (D/L method). It was Mohammedan's first win in the derby in five years. 

Mohammedan skipper Shakib Al Hasan was the center of the attention, losing his temper quite a few times. The all-rounder top-scored for Mohammedan with 37 off 27 and propelled the side to 145 for six. This was Shakib's first score in excess of 30 since his return from the one-year ban imposed on him by the ICC. Mahmudul Hasan also scored an unbeaten 30 off 22 deliveries.

While chasing 146, Abahani were off to the worst possible start, losing Naim Sheikh and Aks Swadhin in the very first over. Shuvagata Hom accounted for the wickets. 

Hom returned in the next over and dismissed Afif Hossain. Abahani were in all sorts of trouble at nine for three. 

Shakib appealed for a leg before but the umpire gave his opposite number Mushfiqur Rahim not out. Shakib was absolutely certain that it was out and kicked the stumps in anger. 

The rain got heavier at the sixth over and the umpire called the groundsmen to bring the covers on. Shakib was unhappy with that too and threw the stumps before rain stopped play.

Shakib was involved in another verbal spat, this time with Khaled Mahmud, the Abahani coach. 

Abahani were given a revised target of 76 off nine overs which meant they required 42 off 19. But Abahani could go nowhere near the total and fell 31 short. 

Shuvagata Hom was adjudged player of the match for his match-winning opening spell. The off-spinner returned 3-0-17-3.