Title-aspirants Abahani Limited appeared to be the biggest gainer as the much-talked-about players’ draft for the upcoming Dhaka Premier League ended at a city hotel on Sunday.
Abahani secured the services of mercurial all-rounder Sakib al Hasan, dashing opener Tamim Iqbal and paceman Taskin Ahmed among others in so-called lottery-based players’ draft, known as players’ by choice in other words.
The process was completed in 15 rounds as 12 Dhaka Premier League clubs maintained a calling order to recruit the players of their choice from 188 players of nine categories.
The draft for the icon and A+ category held in the final two rounds with Sheikh Jamal Dhanmondi Club getting the privilege to make the first call.
They choose Mahmudullah as their icon player and the club was followed by defending champions Prime Bank Cricket Club, who picked up Sabbir Rahman from this category.
Prime Doleshwar recruited Nasir Hossain before the turn of Abahani came. The club made no delay to call for Tamim, leaving their arch-rivals Mohammedan Sporting Club, who were next in the order, to choose from the rests.
Mohammedan opted for Mushfiqur Rahim and was followed by Victoria Sporting Club and Legends of Rupganj, who chose for Mominul Haque and Soumya Sarkar respectively.
National captain Mashrafee bin Murtaza was expected to join his Comilla Victorians coach Mohammad Salahuddin at Gazi Group, but they surprisingly opted for Anamul Haque.
Kalabagan Krira Chakra saved Mashrafee from an embarrassment before Brothers Union, the last in the packing order, picked up Imrul Kayes.
spt06As Kalabagan Cricket Academy and Cricket Coaching School refused to take any players from these two categories, three players — Sakib al Hasan, Mustafizur Rahman and Mohammad Mithun — still remained unpicked.
Sakib and Mustafiz will be busy with the Indian Premier League, so they are unlikely to play a big part in the league, which starts on April 22.
Still nine clubs joined the bidding for three unpicked players in the final round and Abahani got the first chance followed by Rupganj and Mohammedan.
Abahani, who had as many as six BCB directors sitting in the table, readily opted for Sakib
while Rupganj landed Mithun. Mohammedan picked up Mustafiz despite knowing that the player will join English county team Sussex after the end of IPL.
Abahani’s choice of Tamim and Sakib came as a surprise considering the clubs poor relationship with the players. In 2009, Tamim all but signed for Abahani for Tk 15 lakh before dramatically moved to Mohammedan.
Abahani then said their door will remain permanently shut for Tamim, but the club could not resist the temptation of picking the in-form player this time.
Sakib led Abahani in that season but lost the last game to Mohammedan to finish third despite being in pole position. Abahani officials blamed Sakib’s poor captaincy for the loss, prompting the all-rounder to leave the club at the next opportunity.
Abahani officials looked to be over the moon after landing these two high-profile players.
‘These things happen in club cricket,’ said Abahani official Jalal Yunus, referring to past incidents involving Sakib and Tamim. ‘We don’t want to dwell on the past and are very much comfortable with them.’
-With New Age input
