Prime's juggernaut & Jamal's balance
At the end of the Dhaka Premier League last season, one thing that was certain: the traditional powerhouses like Abahani Limited and Mohammedan Sporting Club were not the only ones who would dominate the league.
Prime Bank Cricket Club proved the point when they built a good all-round set up to win the trophy last year and they have managed to build a similar team this time around as well.
They have got four players from the national team and key among them will be Sabbir Rahman. The hard-hitting top-order batsman has been in great form throughout the last year. In the last few months he has seemingly managed to learn the art of finding a balance between aggression and patience and there is no doubt that that factor will play a crucial role in the league.
Along with Sabbir, there's Rubel Hossain, Kazi Nurul Hasan and Shuvagata Hom Chowdhury. Bangladesh's 2015 World Cup hero Rubel has been out of the national team mainly due to injury. He was also left out of the national contract because he did not appropriately follow the rehabilitation process that was set for him. As a result, it goes without saying that there will be plenty that Rubel will be looking to regain through the competition.
Although both Nurul and Shuvagata have not gotten many opportunities in the national team, they do have a good record in domestic cricket. Nurul, apart from his swift wicketkeeping skills, is also a crafty batsman. He is the kind of player who needs some time to get set before he gets going and the league seems an ideal foundation for that.
Having scalped the wicket of Virat Kohli in the ICC World Twenty20, Shuvagata will be raring to go as well.
One of the weaknesses of this side could be the fact that they do not have a senior player to lead the side. They do have performers, but they need someone to keep heads calm whenever things go out of control.
Sheikh Jamal Dhanmondi Club is another side that has managed to rack up a balanced team. They will be led by the most consistent national batsman for Bangladesh in recent times, Mahmudullah Riyad.
His drives through point were a delight to watch during the Asia Cup and the ICC World Twenty20. He has been in good touch ever since the Bangladesh Premier League last year and he will hope he can continue the good run.
The good part about this team is that they have got a decent spin attack, which in leagues like these could prove to be crucial. In Shohag Gazi and Arafat Sunny, they have got a lethal combination.
Also, they have the likes of Marshall Ayub and Muktar Ali in the side, both of whom possess immense talent but unfortunately have not been able to cement their places in the national team. They also have a fit-again Shafiul Islam, whose swinging deliveries could prove extremely handy.
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