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Defending champions Abahani kept alive their chances for a hat trick of titles when they recorded an exciting 11-run win over arch rivals Mohammedan Sporting in a crucial Janakantha Premier League match at the Bangabandhu National Stadium yesterday.

In an intriguing finish, Abahani, defending a fighting total of 266, went on to bundle out their perennial foes for 255 in 69.2 overs.

Although Mohammedan, backed by half-centuries from their Kenyan run-machine Steve Tikolo and experienced opener Selim Shahed, dominated most of the proceedings in the high voltage drama, it was Abahani who withstood the pressure during the final session to decisively take the match.

The win helps Abahani to tie with Biman at the top of the table, both having seven wins from nine matches. On other hand, Mohammedan are virtually out of the title race having conceded their third defeat from nine outings.

The clash of the titans also had its share of problems when, sensing possible defeat during the final session, a section of unruly Mohammedan supporters at the Western gallery threw brickbats into the ground, only to stop the match for about five minutes. Tension spread to the stand when Mohammedan's wicketkeeper and Abahani's Pakistani all-rounder Mohammed Hussain got involved in a heated exchange of words for no good reason.

Mohammedan were at one stage cruising along until a suicidal call cost the most important wicket of Imran. They went for the tea break with 224 for five. But when they returned the complexion of the game saw a sea of change after Imran Hamid was run out in the first over after the break.

The dashing left-hander, playing with Nasir as his runner, scored a forceful 40 off 43 balls while batting at the unusual position of number five. The hard-hitting opener, who twisted his left ankle while fielding on Saturday, was forced to bat down the order and it turned out to be a blessing in disguise for Mohammedan until Nasir set off for a sharp single. He was sent back by Halim Shah. But by that time it was too late and Mohammed Hussain dislodged the bails at the bowler's end.

Imran's departure only exposed the underbelly of Mohammedan and a rejuvenated Abahani made no mistake to rip through the fragile tail in no time. Mohammedan, however, were hoping against hopes with their ball-bashing captain still at the crease. But, much to the dismay of Mohammedan, the southpaw departed in a peculiar fashion after hitting two successive fours against left-arm spinner Mohammed Hussain.

Rafique, who has earned the dubious reputation of going through the motion rather than playing with any purpose, top-edged an intended paddle sweep into the safe hands of wicketkeeper Tuhin. Rafique's departure from playing an outrageous shot reduced Mohammedan to seven for 235 in 62.4 overs.

Hussain then removed Halim Shah, the last recognised Mohammedan batsmen, who offered a sharp catch to Akram in the slips after scoring only five. The pendulum swung Abahani's way.

With Mohammedan at 240 for eight, Ashfaq Ali smashed a huge sixer against Iqbal to throw caution to the wind. But it was all over for Mohammedan when Hasibul, returning for his third spell in the 68th over, quickly mopped up the tail.

The national right-arm seamer, who had done little for Abahani this season, delivered the goods in the nick of time. He had Mortaza trapped leg-before with an over-pitch delivery before disturbing Ashfaq's furniture in his next over to herald the fall of Mohammedan's fight.

Although Hasibul lifted the few thousand sky-blue supporters at the big bowl to ecstasy, it was off-spinner Naimur Rahman, who put a spoke in Mohammedan's smooth sail earlier on the day.

Mohammedan were off to a flyer with Rashedul Hoq and Selim Shahed putting on 71 runs in 23 overs. But Naimur, coming in to bowl from the pavilion end in the 24th over, made the breakthrough by having Rashedul brilliantly caught at forward short-leg by Hannan for 32.

Naimur struck again in the next over when the offie sneaked one through the gate of one-down Nasirul Alam. Steve Tikolo scored a power-packed 56 off 80 balls with the help of nine fours and a massive sixer over mid-wicket off Naimur, that sailed all the way into the Western gallery. But Naimur had the last laugh when he clean-bowled the Kenyan right-hander. It was Tikolo's seventh half-century in nine league matches.

Selim Shahed, who played a sensible knock, reached his 50 with an eye-pleasing four through cover off Naimur. But his 137-ball vigil at the crease came to an end when he missed an attempted drive against Hussain and keeper Tuhin effected an easy stumping.

Meanwhile, in the other match of the day at the Dhanmondi Cricket Stadium, Agrani Bank recorded a hard-fought 19-run win over Orient Sporting.

The promotees, chasing a commanding bank total of 272 in the stipulated 80 overs, were all out for 253 in 78.3 overs. Opener Mofizul scored a gritty 53 off 126 balls and Pakistani Reaz Sheikh chipped in with 35.

For Agrani Bank, Shaheen Malik took two wickets for 45 runs. The Pakistani had earlier scored a brilliant half-century on Saturday.

Today's Matches

Brothers Union vs Kalabagan
Venue: Bangabandhu National Stadium

Surjo Tarun vs Wari Club
Venue: Dhanmondi Cricket Stadium