After a 17-Year Drought: Mohammedan’s Historic Resurrection in Bangladesh Cricket

A glorious history spanning nearly nine decades, the emotions of several generations, and one of the most traditional names in South Asian sports- Mohammedan Sporting Club. Following a grueling 17-year-long wait and an intense on-field battle, the traditional ‘Black and White’ camp has scripted history by clinching the title of the 2025-26 season of the Dhaka Premier Division Cricket League (DPL), the most prestigious event in Bangladesh’s domestic cricket.

This victory is not merely the reclamation of a trophy; rather, it marks the royal return of a powerhouse in modern cricket history and the end of a long-standing deprivation for millions of its fans.

The final day of this DPL season turned into a high-voltage drama. The equation in the title race was complex, with three teams- Mohammedan Sporting Club, their arch-rivals Abahani Limited, and Prime Bank Cricket Club- all holding a chance to become champions.

The scenario for Mohammedan was twofold. First, they had to defeat their eternal rivals Abahani in their own match at the BKSP ground in Savar. Second, Prime Bank Cricket Club had to face defeat in the other match. Apart from delivering their own performance, the Black and Whites had to rely on the wheels of fortune and the outcome of the other ground.

Sent in to bat first after losing the toss against Abahani, Mohammedan’s two openers unleashed a carnage that will go down as a fairy tale in the country’s cricket history. The opening duo, Anamul Haque Bijoy and Parvez Hossain Emon, completely dismantled Abahani’s bowling attack.

* Anamul Haque Bijoy: Played a responsible yet aggressive knock of 141 runs off 115 balls. With this century, he set a new world-class milestone and record for the highest number of centuries (25 centuries) in Bangladesh’s List ‘A’ cricket.

* Parvez Hossain Emon: Assumed an even more destructive form, playing an epic innings of 150 runs off just 116 balls.

Riding on the bats of the two openers, Mohammedan piled up a mammoth total of 406 runs for 4 wickets in their stipulated 50 overs, marking the second-highest team total in the history of the Dhaka Premier League.

Mohammedan Sporting Club: 406/4 (50 Overs) Winner (By 63 runs via DLS method)

Abahani Limited: 178/4 (24.4 Overs)

(Match abandoned due to rain) |

Rain, the DLS Method, and the Wait for the Title

Chasing a massive target of 407 runs, Abahani managed to score 178 runs for 4 wickets in 24.4 overs before torrential rain interrupted the match. As play could not be resumed after a long wait, Mohammedan was declared the winner by 63 runs under the Duckworth-Lewis-Stern (DLS) method.

However, celebrations could not erupt in the Mohammedan camp just yet. All eyes were glued to the other match between Dhaka Leopards and Prime Bank Cricket Club. As soon as Dhaka Leopards pulled off a victory, Mohammedan’s championship was officially sealed. Wild celebrations broke out across Savar- the match venue adjacent to Dhaka and the club tents in Dhaka.

This trophy win for Mohammedan is not just about numbers; it carries profound historical significance:

* 10th DPL Title: This marks the club’s 10th Dhaka Premier League title in history.

* First Trophy of the List ‘A’ Era: Since the DPL was granted international ‘List A’ status in the 2013-14 season, this is Mohammedan’s first title.

* 17-Year Drought: Mohammedan last won the championship in the 2008-09 season under the leadership of former national team captain Khaled Mashud Pilot. Since then, this trophy had remained elusive for 17 long years.

Starting its journey in 1936 as the then ‘Muslim Sporting Club’, this institution is not just about cricket; it is an inseparable part of Bangladesh’s overall sporting culture.

* Football: Mohammedan is one of the most successful teams in the country’s football history, boasting 20 national league titles and 11 Federation Cups.

* Hockey: They have maintained absolute dominance in domestic hockey by winning more than 30 titles.

* Cricket: Alongside football and hockey, the club has now proven its all-round sporting supremacy by capturing its 10th cricket title.

The most attractive and emotional aspect of Bangladesh’s sports history is the Mohammedan-Abahani rivalry. In the 1980s and 90s, a football match between these two teams meant an obsession that would bring the entire country to a standstill. With the passage of time, that eternal rivalry has now transitioned to the cricket pitch. Defeating their arch-rivals Abahani to reclaim the trophy after 17 years has made this victory even sweeter and more historic for Mohammedan.

Behind Mohammedan’s consistent success throughout the season was a well-planned team formation. The batting lineup, featuring stars like Anamul Haque Bijoy, Parvez Hossain Emon, and Towhid Hridoy, was formidable, while the national team’s rising pacer Nahid Rana stormed through with the ball. This excellent blend of experience and youth ultimately brought the championship trophy to the club.

Following the title victory, the Club Chairman stated in an emotional message, ‘After 2009, we had almost forgotten this joy. After a long wait, our fans have seen their favorite ‘Black and White’ flag fly high at the top once again. This is just the beginning of our new journey.’

In the sports arena of Bangladesh, Mohammedan Sporting Club remains a name of enduring emotion. This historic DPL victory of the 2025-26 season has proven that legacy never dies; it merely prepares itself to be resurrected at the right time.

Maksuda Lisa: Senior Journalist and Contributor, Pressenza- Dhaka Bureau.