The Dhaka Premier League finally gets underway today without any hype as major clubs are missing the service of the national players, who are busy playing in the home series against Zimbabwe. Champions Legends of Rupganj will take on Old DOHS at Mirpur while Sheikh Jamal Dhanmondi Club will face Partex at Fatullah on the opening day of the league, which will start after being delayed for at least five times.
In the other match of the day, Prime Dholeshwar will face Kalabagan Krira Chakra at BKSP ground.
The unavailability of the national players can be proved crucial, according to the club officials, who had set their eyes on the title, the top honour for the Dhaka-based clubs.
Teams, however, said they are prepared for the situation and have their back up plans ready.
Legends will miss the service of all-rounder Sakib al Hasan and Tamim Iqbal along with Rubel Hossain, who all are busy in the Test series and also should be a part of the one-day international series which will end on December 2.
‘We have seasoned players like Junaed Siddique, Alok Kapali, Mosharraf Hossain, who can fill the void,’ said Mahbubur Rahman, the coach of Legends.
‘Hopefully with the strength that we possess, we will get a winning start,’ Mahbub said adding that either Alok or Mosharraf will lead the side until their regular captain Sakib joins them.
Prime Doleshwar, who formed a strong squad, will also miss the service of national skipper Mushfiqur Rahim, batsman Mominul Haque and paceman Shafiul Islam. Their opponents in the opening round Kalabagan will be playing without Shahadat Hossain.
In the first round, Prime Bank Cricketers are among the other sides to be hit hard with the absence of Mahmudullah, Taijul Islam and Shuvagata Hom. They will be also without Taskin Ahmed, who is nursing a rib injury.
Prime Bank’s coach Khaled Mahmud said that his side is perhaps the most affected, but they accepted the reality considering national interest.
‘Definitely national interest will have the first preference,’ said Mahmud.
‘But for me it is quite difficult as we formed the squad keeping in mind that we will have Shuvagata and Tajiul for most of the time,’ he said.
While fellow title contenders are busy overcoming the absence of national players, traditional giants Abahani and Mohammedan Sporting Club are getting almost their full squad ready.
Abahani have three national players in Nasir Hossain, Ziaur Rahman and Al-Amin, who are out of the national team for various reasons at the moment.
The club, however will miss leg spinner Jubair Hossain, who made his national debut with the Zimbabwe series.
Mohammedan, who will face their arch-rivals Ahabani in the opening match, will be able to field their all three pool players Mashrafee bin Murtaza, Mohammad Mithun and Naeem Islam.
-With New Age input
