Dhaka: Defending Champions Abahani Limited became the first team to confirm the Super Six phase of the Dhaka Premier League (DPL) as they crushed Shinepukur Cricket Club by 10 wickets, thanks to a blitzkrieg from opener Parvez Hossain Emon at BSKP-3 ground today.
According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, Emon blasted a 23-ball 61 not out, laced with four fours and six sixes, to help Abahani reach 89 for no loss in just 6.4 overs after Shinepukur were skittled out for just 88 in 25.4 overs. On the way to his match-winning knock, Emon raised his fifty off just 15 balls to become the fastest half-centurion by a Bangladeshi batter in any format of cricket.
Emon’s fellow opener Jishan Alam was not out on a run-a-ball 17 after hitting two fours and one six. Pacer Ripon Mondol and left-arm spinner Rakibul Hasan stifled Shinepukur once they were put into bat first. Both of them took two wickets apiece to cause top-order havoc before Mosaddek Hossain Saikat jolted them further with 4-36.
Only three batters could reach double digits with Minhajul Abdein Sabbir scoring the highest 38 for Shinepukur. The victory helped Abahani bolster its top position with 16 points from nine matches. Shinepukur, which only won one match out of nine, languished at the bottom of the table, further raising the prospect to play the relegation league.