The Bangladesh Cricket Board is keeping the option open for suspended cricketer Sakib al Hasan to make a return to competitive cricket with the Dhaka Premier League, beginning in October. The BCB initially had dropped Sakib a from a list of pool players, but officials said he may be included in the list after a meeting of its board of directors on August 7, two days before the inter-club players’ transfer begins.
The meeting is expected to consider the appeal of Sakib, who apologised for his recent behaviour and sought a review of his six-month ban, imposed on him because of what the BCB said his ‘severe attitude problem’.
BCB president Nazmul Hasan last week said he was impressed by Sakib’s behaviour since the suspension, a broad hint that they will consider his appeal positively.
Sources said to keep the option open for Sakib, who in all likelihood will get his ban reduced by a few months, the BCB has shifted the inter-club players’ transfer date from August 6 to August 10.
The players’ transfer for the league will now be held on August 10 and 11 before the members of the national cricket team catch the flight for West Indies.
The chairman of the Cricket Committee of Dhaka Metropolis, AZM Nasir, however, said they are yet to add Sakib’s name to the pool, contradicting the scrolls on several television channels, which claimed ‘the decision on Sakib has already been taken’.
‘Sakib has not been included in the pool yet, unlike what is being shown in the TV scroll,’ Nasir told New Age on Sunday.
‘It is a matter of the BCB and the CCDM does not have any right to take a decision on it. Once the BCB clears its stand on Sakib in the next meeting we will act,’ said Nasir.
If things go the way as it is being planned this could be a boost for holders Legends of Rupganj [former Gazi Tank Cricketers], who signed the talismanic all-rounder long ago for a whopping Tk 50 lakh.
Legends are set to form a strong team with Tamim Iqbal and Rubel Hossain joining Sakib to complete their quota of pool players.
Prime Doleshwar, who were in serious contention for the title in their first season last year, bolstered their squad with Mushfiqur Rahim who could join up with Mominul Haque and Shafiul Islam.
Prime Bank Cricketers also could emerged as a strong contender with the likes of Mahmudullah, Taskin Ahmed and Farhad Reza at their disposal. Prime were in an advanced stage of talks with Nasir Hossain before opting for Reza, who led Doleshwar to a successful campaign last season.
Mohammedan Sporting Club are all set to complete their line-up with Mashrafee bin Murtaza, Naeem Islam and Mohammad Mithun as their pool players.
Abahani Limited are keeping faith with Al Amin and Anamul Haque while they are expected to take either Imrul Kayes or Nasir Hossain, who played for Victoria last term.
-With New Age input
