The first phase of the inter-club player transfers for the Dhaka Premier League will be held today with all but a few national players already confirming their next destination.
In the first phase of the transfers only pool players will participate as they will leave home for West Indies on August 13. The Tigers will not be available at home for the second phase which will be held on August 27-28.
Opener Tamim Iqbal is set to join defending champions Gazi Tanks (Legends of Rupganj) from Brothers Union with Rubel Hossain staying back in the side as their second national pool player.
Gazi are unlikely to complete their quota of three pool players as they preferred to wait for suspended all-rounder Sakib al Hasan. Sakib is currently serving a six-month ban and cannot participate in the league until his ban is lifted or reduced.
He has appealed against the ban and is expecting it to be halved, which will make him available for the league.
Officials said if the BCB lifts his ban, Sakib will be able to participate in the transfer in the second phase.
He, however, will still be counted as pool player and will be able to play for his preferred team Gazi Tanks only if they have any quota left.
Gazi Tanks owner Lutfar Rahman Badal has acquired the ownership of Kalabagan Cricket Academy, where Sabbir Rahman, Nasir Hossain and Arafat Sunny are expected to play.
National skipper Mushfiqur Rahim is set to emerge as the most prized asset in the transfer market when he will join Prime Doleshwar from Sheikh Jamal Dhanmondi Club.
Doleshwar, who were in title hunt until the last two rounds in the previous year, are going to form a formidable side this time too with Mominul Haque and Shafiul Islam joining the national skipper.
Former champions Abahani Limited have a big decision to make as they have currently Imrul Kayes, Anamul Haque and Ziaur Rahman and Al-Amin Hossain in their team.
It was learnt that the club has decided to keep Anamul, Zia and Al-Amin, which means Imrul will have to find a club in the next 48 hours.
Mohammedan Sporting Club have confirmed the services of Naeem Islam, Mashrafee bin Murtaza and Mohammedan Mithun while another title contender Prime Bank prised Mahmudullah, Farhad Reza and Taskin Ahmed.
Shamsur Rahman, Marshall Auyb and Robiul Islam are all set to join Kalabagan KC.
Of the 12 clubs, Sheikh Jamal Dhanmondi Club, Brothers Union, Victoria SC and promoted Partex and Old DOHS have shown little interest in pool players. Jamal, however, changed their hearts at the eleventh hour and spoke to left-arm spinner Abdur Razzak, leaving Imrul and all-rounder Sohag Gazi without any team so far.
Club officials said they are unwilling to pay too much attention to the national players, who will be able to play only six to seven matches in the league.
Under a revised rule, each club will be able to field only one foreign player, which forced the officials to run after fringe players than the star names.
-With New Age input
