Abahani Limited have become champions of the Dhaka Premier League 2016 following the abandonment of their suspended match against Doleshwar.
The announcement that the teams would share the spoils of the suspended match was made after much drama on Wednesday.
The decision saw Abahani seal their 18th DPL title, while their long-standing rivals Mohammedan Sporting Club were second on the list with nine wins.
Prime Doleshwar, a relatively new team in the tournament, finished as runners-up for a second successive time.
Abahani had 22 points from 15 matches after beating Prime Bank Cricket Club on Wednesday, while Prime Doleshwar had 20.
It meant the winner of the tournament was to be decided by the outcome of the suspended match.
On Jun 12, the umpires went off the field in the face of loud swearing by Abahani supporters in the Super League stage tie at BKSP-3.
Prime Doleshwar then refused to continue their chase for a revised target under the Duckworth-Lewis method, forcing the suspension of the match.
A week after the incident, the BCB formed a four-man probe unit – Special Committee – and sought a report within 72 hours.
The committee recommended the points be divided between the teams but Bangladesh Cricket Board President Nazmul Hassan wanted a replay.
“We can’t say anything if 20 overs are not completed because of the playing conditions. The teams must share points if there is no result. It is clearly stated in the laws. That is what they (the committee) have recommended,” Hassan said in the afternoon.
“I was asked for an opinion. I said I had never seen such competition in the premier League before. The top five teams in the Super League were separated by two points.
“Considering all this, I think the match should be played again. A competitive tournament like this should be decided by a game.”
The BCB chief’s press conference gave the impression that the match might be replayed, but the board’s official announcement came in the evening around 8:15pm in the form of a media statement.
The BCB followed the recommendation of the Special Committee as Abahani finished as champions with 23 points and Prime Doleshwar second with 21.
The tournament was first held in the 1974-75 season in the form of the Dhaka Metropolis First Division Cricket League. Abahani had won the title in the opening season.
It was later renamed Premier Division Cricket League in 1987-88.
This year’s edition was the 40th, as none were held in seasons 2003-04 and 2012-13.
Abahani have twice been joint champions, while Mohammedan and Biman once each.
Source: Bd news24
