The inter-club player transfers for the Dhaka Premier League got underway on a cool note with no big teams arriving in the market on the first day at the Bangabandhu National Stadium on Saturday.
Reigning champions Mohammedan SC and their arch-rivals Abahani are expected to hit the transfer market on Sunday.
Abdur Razzak and Suhawardi Shuvo, the two left-arm spinners of the national team, were the first major stars of the pool to come and sign for Surjo Tarun with Junaid Siddique completing their quota of pool players.
‘No team are clear favourites and the championship is quite open,’ Razzak told reporters after signing for Surjo Tarun.
‘I am confident that we will put up a good show. Naturally spin will be our main weapon as Shuvo will be teaming up with me.
Our batting will revolve around Imroze [Junaed Siddique],’ said Razzak.
The main attraction of the evening was Mohammad Ashraful, who joined Cricket Coaching School from Mohammedan. The former skipper arrived with his new president Naimur Rahman Durjoy.
‘This year the Premier League is important as it will be the last major event before the World Cup,’ said Ashraful.
‘I am determined to take the opportunity to cement my place in the national side,’ Ashraful added.
The former skipper has decided to play at No 4 for the rest of his career.
‘It is certain that I will only play at number four and will not like compromise on that,’ Ashraful said.
He, however, feels that his international performance has played a significant part in the premier league as no big teams came up with an offer.
‘Naturally my inconsistency made the big teams shy away from me,’ he said.
Aftab Ahmad, the other star performer who joined Old DOHS after being released by Mohammedan, also emphasised on the importance of this year’s premier league. The dazzling performer is eager to make a significant contribution to impress the selectors.
‘I am very confident. This year the wicket is very well prepared and it’s encouraging for the batsman,’ said Aftab.
‘If I score runs regularly then the selectors cannot ignore me for long,’ he added.
Bangladesh Biman players will be looking to break the jinx of not winning the championship as they were the only big team to arrive at the market.
‘We want to be the champions,’ said Mushfiqur Rahim. ‘We came close on several occasions but could not make it,’ said Mushfiqur.
