Abahani, Sheikh Jamal galvanised for title showdown

A neck-and-neck race between Abahani and Sheikh Jamal will conclude with the pair on a collision course as the last round of matches in the Dhaka Premier League beckon, with the table-toppers set to face each other today to determine the champions of the 2023 edition.

However, Cyclone Mocha was reportedly set to intensify around the central and southeast Bay of Bengal so rain could very well interrupt the match at the Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium.

There is a reserve day on Sunday in case the weather does not allow the match to be played today. However, if the reserve day is foiled by weather too, Sheikh Jamal would end up as champions courtesy of being ahead on the head-to-head equation.

Sheikh Jamal are on course to become the only team after Abahani to win back-to-back titles and they would also be the only side bar Abahani to win the tournament twice since it gained List A status in 2013-14.

Abahani captain Mosaddek Hossain was not keen on thinking of the complications that weather could bring. "It's not in our control, so I am not willing to think about it. If the game does not take place and they become champions, I would have to say we were unlucky. But there is a reserve day so let's see what happens," Mosaddek told reporters yesterday.

For Abahani, three-time champions since 2013, it is a must-win encounter.

As the title-run reached near the end, both teams slipped up. Sheikh Jamal lost the first game of the Super League to Gazi Group before pulling off three back-to-back wins while Abahani lost to Gazi Group in the last round of matches, meaning they need a win to clinch the title.

Abahani have performers like Afif Hossain, Mohammad Naim and Pakistani recruit Khushdil Shah they can bank on. With the ball, Mohammad Saifuddin was fit as well and will bolster a pace attack that also features Tanzim Hasan Sakib and Ripon Mondol.

"It was a bit disappointing to lose the last match given that the way we played. Abahani didn't seem like Abahani. It was something alarming and what happened cannot happen again. We have just come off a discussion and we are hopeful something like that won't happen. We trust our players," Mosaddek added.

For Sheikh Jamal, the likes of Saif Hassan, Shykat Ali, Fazle Mahmud, Nurul Hasan Sohan and Indian recruit Parvez Rasool have been in good touch throughout the tournament. Mosaddek's side looked relaxed at the end of the day, content with what they have worked before the virtual 'final'.

Abahani stars Afif, Mahmudul Hasan Joy, Naim and Nahidul Islam were enjoying a game of foot tennis as dusk neared yesterday. The players were enjoying good vibes and coach Khaled Mahmud sat down at the end of their session, going through some mental preparation.

The tournament may not have the lustre it once had, but Abahani have invested heavily and will not shy away easily. Mosaddek had identified while talking to the media that there was no 'other way around it' now. "We will have to give hundred percent effort," he said.