Gazi Tank Cricketers have emerged as the new favourites as the Super League phase of the Dhaka Premier League begins today with three matches scheduled concurrently at three venues.
Gazi Tanks, who have 14 points from 10 matches but lead the points table over Mohammedan Sporting Club and Prime Doleshwar by virtue of a superior run rate, have brought in Irish-born Englishman Eon Morgan and Dutchman Ryan Ten Doeschate to bolster their squad.
On the opening day of the Super League, Gazi Tanks will take on Kalabagan Cricket Academy at the Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium.
In the day’s other matches, Prime Doleshwar will play against Prime Bank Cricket Club at the Fatullah Stadium while Mohammedan take on Sheikh Jamal Dhanmondi Club at the BKSP ground.
Gazi Tanks coach Sarwar Imran is confident that his side can go all the way to clinch the title in a race that is wide open after the first phase.
‘Both [Morgan and Ten Doeschate] are match winners and on their day can turn the fortune of the game,’ said Imran.
‘They are practicing with us and it seemed they are getting accustomed very quickly.’
While Gazi is comfortably placed, their opponents, the newly-promoted Kalabagan Cricket Academy, have not lost heart despite having only one foreign recruit in Zimbabwe’s Hamilton Masakadza and are looking forward to making an impression in their first appearance in the DPL.
‘We have to win all the matches if we want to have a realistic chance, and that is going to be quite a big ask,’ said KCA’s Marshal Ayub.
‘Still we are confident that we can put up a commendable performance in the Super League as most of our local cricketers are in good touch.’
‘Masakadza is an experience campaigner and his performance will be crucial as well to go forward in the league.’
Prime Bank will start the Super League without star Zimbabwean cricketer Brendon Taylor, who he left the country after the last game of the first phase, and they will look to fill the void with a collective performance.
‘Brendon contributed massively for us and surely he will be missed,’ said skipper Enamul Haque Jr.
Now we have to put up collective effort to win matches and I am sure it will be the case with some of foreigners looking good at the moment,’ he added, pointing towards Englishmen Liam Dawson and Ravi Bopara, and Sri Lankan Shihan De Silva.
Meanwhile, Prime Bank’s opponents are elated at the return of Sri Lankan recruit Roshnan Shiwanke Silva, who arrived after leaving mid-way through the first phase.
Roshnan was brilliant in the few matches that he played and we are looking forward to a similar performance from him,’ said Prime Doleshwar coach Mizanur Rahman.
Joshua Cobb, Christopher Nash and Dawid Malan will also be available for Doleshwar.
Mohammedan coach Khaled Mashud is relying on his local players to step up in the absence of Afghanistan’s Mohammad Nabi, who also left after the first phase.
‘Nabi played extremely well for us but now we are looking forward on our local cricketers,’ said Mashud.
‘They have been playing well in the past few weeks,’ he added.
Mohammedan will also have Englishman Samit Patel and Afghans Ashghar Tankishai and Rahmat Shah in their line-up.
Sheikh Jamal proceeds without any new foreign recruits and will depend on Dilshan Munaweera, Steven Crook, and Elton Chigumbura to perform during the Super League.
-With New Age input
