With the Dhaka Premier League just 24 hours away, most of the teams are struggling with the recruitment of their foreign players, according to some officials on Sunday.
Several teams could not confirm the services of foreign cricketers as both India and Pakistan refused to give the No-objection Certificate that had made them struggle for the forthcoming edition of the league, which gets underway on Tuesday.
The teams of the premier league witnessed a unique way of transfer this season through the players-by-choice system that had severely affected the teams who were looking to build a strong team with the local players.
That had made the foreign players’ availability all the more important for the local clubs, but as the Asian two neighbours denied to grant NOC, the clubs said it has become necessary for them to bring players from the other Test-playing countries.
Defending champions Victoria Sporting Club are the one seriously affected by the decision of sub-continent giants as they are still without any foreign players with their opening match scheduled for Tuesday against promoted Kalabagan Cricket Academy.
‘We had spoken to several Indian and Pakistani players but as their boards refused to provide the NOC we have fallen into this trouble,’ said club general secretary Kazi Reazul Islam.
‘For a team like us it is difficult to go after any players with this limited budget,’ he said.
While Victoria gave up their title ambition having lost their last season’s financer to Gazi Tank Cricketers, some top clubs, who have no issue with money, are also struggling.
Mohammedan Sporting Clubs could only confirm the services of Upul Tharanga for their opening match against Prime Doleshwar Sporting Club on September 12 while they also expect Sri Lankan star opener Tillakaratne Dilshan next week.
Popular Abahani, who opted for young players over experienced campaigners during the transfer of local players, were also obliged to put their faith in Sri Lankan trio Janaka Gunaratne, Tharanga Paranavitana and Indika de Saram.
Tamim Iqbal-led Brothers Unions hoped to get the services of Angelo Matthews, Sachithra Senanayake and British passport holder Pakistani cricketer Azhar Mahmood, but not before their Tuesday’s opening match.
Sheikh Jamal Dhanmondi Club, arguably the strongest side with local players, could only confirm Sri Lanka’s Dilshan Munaweera and Zimbabwe’s Elton Chigumbura.
Mushfiqur Rahman Mohan, the cricket chairman of Jamal, said they expect to get star Sri Lankan batsman Kumar Sangakkara after the Champions Trophy Twenty20 tournament, though the claim was readily dismissed by the current runners-up Prime Bank’s coach Khaled Mahmud.
Mahmud said they contacted Sangakkara and Mahela Jayawardene, but both preferred to take rest instead of playing in the Dhaka league after their participation in the Champions League.
Prime Bank’s hopes now lie on Sameera De Joysa and Vanuska Rajapakse, who have already arrived. They could soon be joined by compatriot Jeevan Mendis and Zimbabwean Brendan Taylor.
Club chairman Lutfor Rahman Badal told New Age that they are also trying to bring South African Neil McKenzie and Robin Peterson, who should be available after September 28.
While the clubs like Mohammedan, Abahani, Brothers, Gazi and Prime Bank will vie for a slot in the super league, some clubs have just set their goal for survival and thus seemingly reluctant to take any serious pain for chasing foreign cricketers.
They include Sakib al Hasan’s Kalabagan KC, who are yet to confirm any overseas player.
Reaz Ahmed Chowdhury, official of Kalabagan Krira Chakra, added that the uncertainty over the foreign players reached such a height that he cannot think of a possibility.
‘Let them arrive in Bangladesh and only then I can say they are our players,’ said Reaz.
Cricket Coaching School official Iqbal Yusuf and Prime Doleshwar coach Mizanur Rahman echoed the same words.
The situation for two newly-promoted sides in the premier league – Kalabagan Cricket Academy and Khelaghar Samaj Kallayan Samity – is almost similar.
‘My team cannot afford any players from Europe. There is no way we can even think of them,’ said Ruhul Amin, coach-cum-official of Khelaghar KC.
‘We tried few Pakistani players but all our efforts went in vain,’ he added.
-With New Age input
