Abahani, Usha win

Abahani and Usha KC joined leaders Mohammedan SC and Sonali Bank with big wins in their respective matches of the Green Delta Insurance Premier Division Hockey League at the Maualana Bhasani Hockey Stadium yesterday. Abahani, the Dhanmondi-based outfit, took their points tally to 12 with a 7-2 win over Azad SC while they were later joined by Usha who slaughtered Wari Club 17-0. All four teams -- Abahani, Mohammedan, Usha and Sonali Bank -- have 12 points each even though Mohammedan and Sonali Bank have played a match less.
Abahani's big victory was powered by their Pakistani recruit Shabbir Ahmed who scored four goals including a hattrick as they took a 3-1 lead into the breather. Shabbir scored two in the first half while he added two more after the break. Shabbir's compatriot Kasim Ali scored one while Zahidul Islam Rajon and Prosenjit added the others for the men in yellow. Shoyeb Ali and Raju Ahmed reduced the margin for Azad.
The second match was a much more one-sided affair than the first as Usha's Pakistani recruit Shahbaz Ali slammed five goals including a hattrick while Moinul Islam Koushik slammed a late hattrick. Sarwar Hossain, Mohammad Atique and Mohammad Imran chipped in with two goals each while Shahidullah Titu, Khorshedur Rahman and Aktar Ali netted one goal apiece to complete the rout.