Victoria Sporting Club yesterday rode on the guile and guts of experienced Enamul Hoque to emerge champions in the GrameenPhone Premier Division Cricket League, thrashing Bangladesh Biman by 93 runs in their last Super Six clash at the BKSP ground in Savar yesterday.

The balding southpaw became the toast of his teammates after he helped the 99-year-old club clinch a thrilling victory in a low-scoring affair to win the prestigious Dhaka League title after 26 years. The title could not have come at a better moment for the old town club who are planning to celebrate their centenary year next year in grand style.

With wickets tumbling like nine pins, Enamul scored his team's highest 48 not out as Victoria could garner a moderate 194 before being all out in 49.2 overs. The 37-year-old then went on to capture four wickets for only 20 runs with his spinners as the national flag-carriers came down crashing for a meager 101 in 36.3 overs.

Victoria winded up their campaign with 14 wins from 16 matches and highest 28 points, four point clear of holders and second-placed Mohammedan Sporting Club. With still a match in hand, Mohammedan, who kept their fingers crossed for a Victoria debacle yesterday, have already confirmed the runners-up spot.Biman on the other hand tasted their fifth defeat yesterday to finish third with a collection of 22 points.

Electing to bat first, Victoria were off to a cautious start collecting 51 runs in 16 overs. But the match took an ominous swing when they lost three quick wickets to reel on 57 for three in the 19th over.

Victoria's leading run-getter Al-Shahriar was first to go offering a simple catch to Ziaur Rashid at mid-wicket for 34. Sajjad Ahmed and Jahangir followed in his footsteps soon scoring one run each.

Things turned bad to worse when Victoria lost their fifth wicket at 87 in 26 overs. But then came Enamul who remained not out till the end to ensure Victoria do have some total on board to defend. He faced 57 balls that yielded four boundaries. Opener Parvez (35) and captain Khaled Mashud (28) were the other notable run-scorers.

Biman, in their chase, found man-of-the-match Enamul nearly unplayable. Two new-ball bowlers -- Monjurul Islam, Saiful Islam, and leg spinner Alok Kapali was also very impressive. The trio evenly shared six wickets among them.

"Personal achievement is not important to me. We all have given our best this season. And had we lost today, all the hard works would have gone down the drain," said Enamul after the match. "Today we batted really bad and came under the wrath of our officials during lunch. I think that gave everybody an extra determination to win the match."

His captain Khaled Mashud dedicated the championship to their late coach Daulatuzzaman, who died of cardiac failure during the third match of the first round.

"His sudden death gave us extra power. Moreover, I would also thank the management of Victoria Sporting Club for extending their co-operation," said Mashud, the Bangladesh captain who led a club side for the first time in Dhaka league.

"We planned match by match, and I think that also helped us to winning the title."

(c) Dailystarnews.com

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