Abahani net big fish
In a bid to maintain their supremacy Abahani lit up the transfer season for the upcoming Premier Division Cricket League. Usually the quiet and calm Sky Blues club tent turned into high pitch on Tuesday for a while with the arrivals of two star cricketers; Mashrafe Bin Mortaza and Shakib Al Hasan.
Defending champions Abahani made a bold statement that they would not leave any stones unturned to retain the trophy as the hattrick champions signed the country's two leading cricketers with a record Tk 20 lakh each.
Abahani's other star national pool player Tamim Iqbal didn't turn up yesterday but the officials confirmed his service and informed that they will disclose the other members of the squad within a very short time. However, there is hardly any chance of seeing dashing Aftab Ahmed in the side.
For Bangladesh captain Mashrafe it was just official formalities remaining to confirm his service for the second successive season with the improved earnings while Shakib took the centre-stage in this year transfer market by joining one of country's most popular club.
"Unlike other clubs the expectation is high here (Abahani). And I am very much aware of the fact. I am ready to take the challenge and you know, I am always trying to give my hundred percent effort no matter which level I am playing," said Shakib after putting his pen on the contract sheet. With the signing, the world's number one all-rounder moved from his previous employers of Bangladesh Biman.
There was a time when some players like Akram Khan and Minhazul Abedin were the brand name of their respective clubs and played for a long time but both Mashrafe and Shakib made it clear that those days were gone as the professionalism grows within the cricketers in these days.
"We are professional player and without any doubt money is a matter for us. But still I enjoyed last season with Abahani and it's a pleasure for me that I am continuing with the same club where everybody is so cooperative," said Mashrafe, who is still uncertain about whether he can play the league from the very beginning. As per doctor's guideline, the leading paceman, who operated his both knees again after injuring the right knee during the first Test against West Indies in July, is likely to return to competitive cricket on the first week of November.
"Actually everything is changed now. The supporters are also not too much crazy with their club or local cricket as they had been a decade ago. I think it happened because of too much international cricket," opined Shakib.
But both the cricketers believe that a quality of cricket can bring back the excitement in domestic cricket.
"I think only quality of cricket can ensure that the supporters will come to the field again to watch the domestic matches. And it is a positive sign that the clubs are spending a huge amount of money to rope in the cricketers, so you can't say everything is missing from domestic cricket," said Shakib, who will leave Dhaka on September 5 for treatment on his groin in Adelaide.
Mashrafe however believed that sporting pitches is essential for the quality of cricket in the domestic competition.
"The wickets are always a big issue for domestic competitions. We got some good pitches in the last season but we need much more better ones for high quality games," said Mashrafe.
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