National vice-captain Mahmudullah will lead Gazi Tank Cricketers in the forthcoming Dhaka Premier League which gets underway on Tuesday, the premier league club announced.
Satellite channel NTV chairman Mosaddek Ali and Gazi Tank Cricketers chairman Lutfor Rahman Badal handed over the jerseys to the new captain and other members of the squad at a programme at the NTV office in the BSEC Bhaban on Sunday.
Mahmudullah will have former Test opener Imrul Kayes as his deputy in the side that also boasts Arafat Sunny, Naeem Islam Jr, Nur Hossain Munna, Roqibul Hassan, Rubel Hossain and Aftab Ahmed, among other players.
New Zealand cricketer Scott Styris and Sri Lankan all-rounder Kaushalya Weeraratne are expected to join the club before their Tuesday’s opening match against Khelaghor Samaj Kallyan Samity in Bogra.
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.
Gazi Tank had confirmed the services of national stalwarts Sakib al Hasan and Tamim Iqbal before they had to accept a mediocre team in the newly introduced players-by-choice transfer.
Coach Sarwar Imran said they fell short of an opener and an all-rounder down the order, which would have given the team the much-needed balance.
‘After the new transfer, there are not too many differences between the teams,’ Sarwar told reporters. ‘Still we have 90 to 95 per cent balance like some other teams. I think we can put up a good fight with the squad.’
New captain Mahmudullah said that he had faith in the squad that has some experienced players alongside some young players.
‘I think our squad is still good despite the new transfer system. However, it all depends on how we perform on a given day,’ said Mahmudullah.
The team announced a cash incentive for each win in the league and for man-of-the-match performances. Club officials said that all the members of the playing team will receive Tk 50,000 for each win in the first phase and Tk 100,000 for each win in the super league. Besides, anyone winning the man of the match award will also get Tk 10,000.
-With New Age input
