Bashundhara crowned new champions

The evening sky was lit with fireworks and the home crowd applauded loudly when the final whistle saw Bashundhara Kings become new Bangladesh Premier League champions with two matches left after a come-from-behind 1-1 draw against Mohammedan SC at the Sheikh Kamal Stadium in Nilphamari yesterday.

From the sidelines, players and officials ran onto the pitch amid the drizzle to embrace the on-field players for clinching the prestigious professional football league title. Clad in special jerseys, the players locked shoulders and started to celebrate the special occasion in the centre of the ground by jumping in the air repeatedly and later posed in front of a banner with ‘Champions’ written in large letters.

Their first draw in 22 matches meant newcomers Bashundhara Kings took an unassailable lead with 59 points, four ahead of nearest rivals and six-time champions Abahani, who have 55 points and one match left. And, they are the second side to clinch the Bangladesh Premier League title in their debut season after Sheikh Jamal DC, who also surprised all to win the professional football league in their debut season in 2010.