Mohammedan Sporting Club players celebrate their goal during their BPL match against Bashundhara Kings in Cumilla on Saturday. — BFF photo

Defending champions Bashundhara Kings were held to a 1-1 draw by Mohammedan Sporting Club in their Bangladesh Premier League second-leg match at the Shaheed Dhirendranath Datta Stadium in Cumilla on Saturday.

Sixteen-year old midfielder Sheikh Morsalin gave Mohammedan the lead in the 11th minute before it was cancelled out by Kings’ Brazilian midfielder Miguel Ferreira Damasceno in the 34th minute.

Morsalin, who had joined Mohammedan on-loan from parent club Kings for the second-leg of the 12-team league, became at the centre of the attention after he scored in consecutive league matches.

Making his BPL debut this season, Morsalin scored his first goal when Mohammedan beat Sheikh Jamal Dhanmondi Club 3-1 for the first time in three seasons in Cumilla on June 30.

In the ninth minute, Miguel’s attempt from free-kick was denied by Mohammedan keeper Ahsan Habib before Morsalin gave his team the lead just two minutes later with a powerful drive from outside the box.

Mohammedan could have doubled the margin in the 17th minute if midfielder Jafar Iqbal’s shot did not go over the crosspiece.

Kings came close to success twice when Brazilian forward Robson Azevedo and Miguel’s attempts were denied by Mohammedan keeper Habib in the 20th and 24th minutes respectively.

Miguel finally helped his side back in the game with placing the ball from top of the box after Mohammedan defender Forhad Mona failed to clear Kings’ defender Yeasin Arafat’s attempt.

With the draw, Kings remained on top of the table with 45 points from 18 games, followed by six-time champions Abahani Limited on 38 points from 17 games.

Mohammedan, who conceded a 0-2 loss against Kings in the first leg, jumped to fifth place from sixth with 26 points from 18 games.