Anamul Haque Bijoy’s Masterclass Guides Mohammedan to Dominant DPL Victory
Mohammedan Sporting Club Kicks Off DPL Campaign with Comprehensive Win, Bijoy Shines
In a compelling start to the Dhaka Premier League (DPL) 2025-26 season, Mohammedan Sporting Club showcased their prowess with a comfortable 5-wicket victory over City Club. The opening fixture, held at the historic BKSP Ground No. 3, saw Mohammedan deliver a well-rounded performance, setting an early marker for their ambitions in the prestigious domestic cricket competition. The architect of their chase, Anamul Haque Bijoy, played a pivotal role, crafting a superb innings that underscored his class and experience.
The stage was set for an intriguing encounter as Mohammedan captain Towhid Hridoy won the toss and elected to bowl first on what appeared to be a pitch offering a fair contest between bat and ball. This strategic decision aimed to exploit any early moisture or movement, putting the opposition under pressure from the outset. The game, adjusted to a 37-over format, promised a fast-paced affair, demanding precision from bowlers and aggression from batsmen.
City Club’s Innings: Resilience Amidst Mohammedan’s Tight Bowling
City Club, batting first, found themselves grappling with Mohammedan’s disciplined bowling attack. Despite some commendable efforts, they struggled to build significant partnerships and accelerate their scoring rate effectively. The early breakthroughs by Mohammedan’s bowlers kept the City Club batsmen in check, preventing them from establishing a strong platform.
Sadikur Rahman emerged as the lynchpin of City Club’s innings, demonstrating resilience and composure under pressure. His well-compiled 56 runs off 63 deliveries were crucial in giving his team a fighting chance. Supporting him were Ahrar Amin, who contributed a steady 31 runs from 41 balls, and Enamul Haque, who added 35 from 44 deliveries. While these individual contributions provided some impetus, the collective effort fell short of what was needed to post a truly challenging total. Ultimately, City Club managed to reach 194 for 9, a total that, while not insignificant, felt within Mohammedan’s grasp.
Mohammedan’s Bowling Masterclass: Naeem Ahmed Leads the Charge
Mohammedan’s bowling unit executed their plans with remarkable precision. Leading the attack was Naeem Ahmed, whose impactful spell saw him claim 4 crucial wickets, dismantling City Club’s middle order and stifling their momentum. Ahmed’s ability to pick up wickets at critical junctures proved instrumental in restricting City Club to a manageable total. The support from his fellow bowlers was equally vital; Ripon Mondol and Rishad Hossain chipped in with two wickets each, maintaining a tight leash on the scoring and ensuring that City Club could never truly dictate terms. Their collective effort highlighted the depth and potency of Mohammedan’s bowling arsenal, setting up their batsmen for a relatively achievable chase.
The Chase: Bijoy’s Calm Head Steers Mohammedan
Chasing a target of 195, Mohammedan Sporting Club’s innings began with a blend of early caution and aggressive intent. Opener Anamul Haque Bijoy immediately asserted his presence, showcasing a blend of elegant stroke play and astute shot selection. However, his opening partner Naim Sheikh departed early, scoring just 5 runs, putting a brief halt to the initial momentum. The situation became slightly more tense when Parvez Hossain Emon was dismissed for a duck, leaving Mohammedan in a precarious position with two early wickets down.
It was at this critical juncture that Bijoy stepped up, demonstrating his vast experience and calm temperament. He forged a vital partnership with Afif Hossain, who provided solid support with a gritty 27 off 52 balls, absorbing pressure and allowing Bijoy to play his natural game. This partnership steadied the innings and laid the groundwork for the chase. Following Afif’s departure, captain Towhid Hridoy joined Bijoy, injecting urgency into the proceedings with a fluent 34 from just 35 balls. Hridoy’s aggressive yet controlled approach ensured that the required run rate remained well within reach.
Bijoy, meanwhile, continued his masterful display, holding one end firmly and meticulously building his innings. He reached his half-century with characteristic ease, looking poised to convert it into a well-deserved century. His innings was a testament to his patience, exquisite timing, and ability to rotate the strike effectively. Unfortunately, his magnificent knock came to an end on 80 runs off 88 balls, a score that, while impressive, left him just shy of a ton. His dismissal, however, did not derail Mohammedan’s chase, as he had already put his team in a commanding position.
The Finishing Touches: Yasir Ali and Saifuddin Seal the Deal
With the departure of Bijoy, the responsibility of finishing the game fell to the middle-order batsmen. Yasir Ali rose to the occasion, playing a blistering cameo of 36 runs off just 23 balls. His quick-fire innings included boundaries and aggressive running, ensuring there were no late jitters. Mohammad Saifuddin provided the perfect foil, remaining unbeaten on 7 runs and calmly guiding the team past the finish line. Mohammedan reached their target with 10 balls to spare, sealing a comprehensive 5-wicket victory that underlined their composure and batting depth.
For City Club, Nihaduzzaman was the most effective bowler, picking up 2 wickets. Abdul Gaffar Saqlain, Enamul Haque Enam, and Enamul Haque Ashiq each managed to claim one wicket, but their efforts were not enough to stem the flow of runs against a determined Mohammedan batting line-up. This opening round victory will undoubtedly boost Mohammedan Sporting Club’s confidence as they look ahead to the remainder of their DPL campaign, with Anamul Haque Bijoy’s superb form being a significant positive to take forward.
Rohan Kapoor is a cricket editor and sports content analyst based in New Delhi with over 6 years of experience covering IPL, T20 leagues, and international cricket. He specializes in match analysis, player statistics, and tactical breakdowns, bringing data-driven insights to modern cricket audiences across India.
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