Anamul Haque Bijoy Stars as Mohammedan Secures DPL Opening Win
A Commanding Start for Mohammedan
The 2025-26 Dhaka Premier League (DPL) season kicked off with high intensity, and Mohammedan Sporting Club has firmly signaled their intentions for the title. In a display of tactical discipline and batting prowess, Mohammedan comfortably overcame City Club by five wickets, setting the tone for what promises to be a highly competitive tournament. At the heart of this victory was the experienced Anamul Haque Bijoy, whose calculated innings ensured that his team transitioned from a tricky start to a successful chase with composure.
City Club’s Struggle for Momentum
The encounter at BKSP Ground No. 3 began with Mohammedan winning the toss and electing to field, a decision that paid dividends immediately. City Club, tasked with setting the pace, found the going tough against a disciplined Mohammedan bowling attack. In a match shortened to 37 overs per side, City Club managed to post a total of 194 for 9.
Despite the modest total, there were flickers of resistance. Sadikur Rahman stood out as the primary aggressor, contributing a valuable 56 off 63 deliveries. He received support from Ahrar Amin (31 off 41) and Enamul Haque (35 off 44), but the team struggled to string together the long-range partnerships required to cross the 200-run mark. The Mohammedan bowlers were relentless, with Naeem Ahmed leading the charge by claiming an impressive four-wicket haul. He was ably supported by Ripon Mondol and Rishad Hossain, both of whom claimed two wickets apiece, effectively strangling City Club’s scoring rate during the middle overs.
The Bijoy Masterclass
Chasing 195 for victory, the pressure was on the Mohammedan top order. While the start was shaky—with Naim Sheikh falling for 5 and Parvez Hossain Emon dismissed for a duck—Anamul Haque Bijoy remained the bedrock of the innings. Bijoy displayed immense patience, anchoring the chase with a blend of classic strokes and careful shot selection.
As wickets tumbled at the other end, Bijoy found a reliable partner in Afif Hossain, who chipped in with a steady 27 from 52 balls. This partnership was crucial in settling the nerves in the dressing room. Following Afif, captain Towhid Hridoy joined the fray, injecting urgency into the chase with a brisk 34 off 35 balls. Bijoy, however, remained the anchor, effortlessly moving through his innings before being dismissed for a well-deserved 80 runs off 88 balls.
Finishing with Authority
With the target well within reach following Bijoy’s departure, the lower-middle order ensured there were no late jitters. Yasir Ali stepped up to play a quick-fire cameo, smashing 36 off just 23 balls to shift the momentum decisively in Mohammedan’s favor. Mohammad Saifuddin remained at the crease to see the game home, finishing unbeaten on 7.
Ultimately, Mohammedan crossed the finish line with 10 balls to spare, completing a clinical five-wicket win. While Nihaduzzaman managed to pick up two wickets for City Club, and the bowling unit showed glimpses of potential, they simply could not contain the depth of Mohammedan’s batting lineup. This victory serves as a perfect confidence booster for Mohammedan, proving that they possess both the bowling depth to restrict opponents and the batting maturity to steer tricky run chases safely to the shore.
Looking Ahead
As the DPL 2025-26 progresses, all eyes will be on Anamul Haque Bijoy to maintain his form. His ability to anchor the innings while allowing others to play freely around him is a trait that will be vital for Mohammedan’s championship aspirations. For City Club, the focus will now shift to tightening their bowling and finding more consistency in their batting order as they look to bounce back in their next fixture.
