Players breathe easy

Cricket players from across the country breathed a collective sigh of relief after Brothers Union's case withdrawal, meaning that local cricket in Dhaka will go ahead as planned.
Cricket Committee of Dhaka Metropolis (CCDM) will sit with the different Premier and First Division clubs on January 21 to decide on the dates for inter-club players' transfer.
A Division Bench of the High Court suspended activities of two leading competitions Premier and First Division League since November 2007 after the Gopibagh-based club turned to the court in reply to BCB's decision to relegate them along with Indira Road. The two clubs had earlier failed to turn up for their relegation playoff match on October 4, resulting in the court case. But on Wednesday evening, Brothers Union withdrew their case and agreed to comply with the ruling of BCB, clearing the path for the smooth running of Premier and First Division League in this season.
Club president AFM Jahangir, who 'decided to accept the decision for the greater interest of the game', met BCB president Maj Gen Sina Ibn Jamali at the board's management office in Gulshan along with three other Brothers officials, in a meeting that determined the fate of domestic cricket.
"I am happy, excited and relieved," said leg-spinner Mohammad Al-Mamun, who played in this season's Challengers Cup. Mamun echoed the community's reaction, as most cricket players were gravely concerned for their financial future.
"I am hoping to play Premier League this season so it is a big deal for me. I think all players will be happy that the league will go ahead," added the young leggie.
CCDM chairman Gazi Ashraf Hossain Lipu admitted that it is great news for players and the game alike.
"We are quite relieved because Premier League adds attraction to local cricket," said Lipu.
"The players must be very happy now just like we are and I think it was done for the greater interest of cricket," added the former national captain.
BCB's decision and steadfastness would serve as an example for clubs in future as Lipu mentioned that dispute over relegations in the lower leagues would reduce greatly.
In the past, relegation matches were marred by match-fixing allegations that meant more and more teams were being left in First Division as their demotion was held up by dispute over the match results. Now, clubs will be mindful that holding up a cricket competition for their own interest would ultimately be fruitless.
For Brothers Union, one of the top sports clubs in Bangladesh, relegation to the First Division will be an opportunity to blood youngsters. They have no other way as most of their players from last season have either confirmed a Premier League club or are in the process in doing so.