MSC set the tone

Mohammedan Sporting club stole the show on the first afternoon of the three-day inter-club cricketers transfers for the forthcoming Premier and First Division cricket leagues at the National Sports Council yesterday.

Nine noted cricketers joined Mohammedan from different clubs. Leading the pack was former national captain Naimur Rahman who severed his nine-year bond with Abahani Krira Chakra. Mohammedan's other prominent catches include veteran all-rounder Enamul Hoque from Victoria Sporting Club, opener Nafees Iqbal from Abahani, batsman Aftab Ahmed from Biman, off spinner Fahim Muntasir from Kalabagan Krira Chakra, paceman Anwar Hossain Monir from Abahani, opener Javed Omar Belim from Bangladesh Biman, right arm pacer Hasibul Hossain from City Club and young quick Sayem from Brothers Union.

Mohammedan also ensured the services of three of their key men -- Minhazul Abedin, Ashiqur Rahman and wicketkeeper Anwar Hossain from their last season's squad.

Speculation was in the air that Minhazul would be joining Victoria Sporting Club but the evergreen batsman eased the nerves of the Mohammedan officials by submitting his token.

All-rounder Naimur, who has been with the Dhanmondi based giants since the 1993-94 season, said that a 'better' offer prompted his decision to opt for Mohammedan. However, according to sources, Naimur was unhappy with the Abahani management for non-payment of a significant amount of his contract sum.

Apart from Mohammedan, Biman, City Club and Premier League champions Victoria Sporting Club were also busy in the cricketers market yesterday.

Biman roped in former national opener Athar Ali Khan and Jahangir Alam from Brothers Union, Ahsanullah Hasan from Abahani, Rashedul Haque from Mohammedan, leg spinner Mosaddek Hossain from Kalabagan and wicketkeeper Golam Mortuza from Victoria.

Abahani's new ball bowler Alamgir Kabir, Surjo Tarun batsmjan Mazharul Haque, Biman's Wicketkeeper Sajjad Kadir and Kalabagan batsman Rajin Saleh joined City Club. On the otherhand, City lost dependable opener Azam Iqbal to Victoria. Abahani batsman Anisur Rahman and Kalabagan trio of Rafiqul Islam, all-rounder Mushfiqur Rahman and Manzarul Islam Rana also signed for Victoria.

A total of 84 cricketers in the Premier League and 125 First Division players had changed clubs when the transfer booth closed last night.

A surprisingly quiet Abahani, who lost the crux of their team from last year, are likely to make a bold appearance in the market today.