Bangladesh national team cricketers Imrul Kayes and Soumya Sarkar believe the competitiveness of the ongoing Dhaka Premier League will force the players to improve their level and that eventually will help Bangladesh team in future. The country’s premium domestic 50-over tournament, DPL, got underway on Friday with three matches and the remaining six teams of the 12-team tournament will take the field today in three different venues.
Imrul’s Brothers Union will take on Mohammedan Sporting Club at the Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium, Soumya’s Legends of Rupganj will face Victoria Sporting club at the BKSP and Kalabagan Cricket Academy will lock horns with Sheikh Jamal Dhanmondi Club at Fatullah.
The success of 2015 lifted Bangladesh Cricket into a new height and with no international series in the next few months, players opined that only the high intensity of domestic league will create some opportunities for them to hone in their cricketing skills.
‘It’s a great opportunity for everyone’, said Imrul on Saturday adding that ‘There are many series’ to come for Bangladesh. So, this tournament is important for each of the players. I think everyone will take it seriously and everyone will try to perform their level best.’
Soumya did not envisage that bigger picture but he emphasised on correcting his own mistakes.
‘I have been practicing to correct my mistakes. Tomorrow [Sunday] I will take on the field. Let’s see.’
Although both the national players see it as an opportunity to improve personal skills but both of them were eager to win their respective matches.
‘Tomorrow [Sunday] we will play our first match, if we can start well, we will create opportunities to clinch the league. That is why we must make a good start,’ said Soumya.
Imrul, on the other hand, did not want to look further and he thought the key is to understand the wicket and condition and play according to that.
‘As it is the first match, we will have to look the wicket first and then we have to decide how we should bat. We will try to play good cricket,’ said Imrul.
The 29-year old left-hander Imrul also thought that batting first will be a definite advantage as the condition is daunting and that would make players fatigued quickly.
‘With the current weather condition, teams will get advantage batting first as they can do that with full energy. It will be always difficult in this condition to bat after fielding for 50 overs’, said Imrul.
Imrul’s junior national team-mate, however, was ready to face any challenge.
‘As a matter of fact, we can do nothing regarding the weather, our job is to play. We have to do that,’ said Soumya.
Today’s match will add some additional inspiration for Soumy as he will feature in the ground of his alma mater, BKSP.
‘Last year, I have played premier league match in this ground and my goal will be to play even better in this year.’
On Friday’s matches, Abahani beat Kalabagan Krira Chakra by seven wickets, Prime Doleshwar won against Cricket Coaching School by eight wickets and Gazi Group Cricketers stunned holders Prime Bank Cricket club with 106 runs.
Today’s Matches
Dhaka Premier League
Kalabagan Cricket Academy v Sk Jamal DC, Fatullah
Mohammedan SC v Brothers Union, SBNS
Legends of Rupganj v Victoria Sporting Club, BKSP-3
-With New Age input
