BPL set to resume from today

The second phase of the Bangladesh Premier League will get underway at the Bangabandhu National Stadium today following a nearly two-month break due to the mid-term transfers' window and the coronavirus-induced lockdown.

There may be some impact on the performance of the players following a long break, fear of being infected by Covid-19 and the scorching summer heat, but the top clubs are eagerly waiting to get back onto the field.

The title race is usually between two or three teams but this time around only one team, Bashundhara Kings, dominated the 13-team table. They have an eight-point cushion over second-placed side, three-time champions Sheikh Jamal. Six-time champions Abahani are in third, nine points behind the leaders.

Bashundhara Kings players seem in high spirits during practice sessions yesterday ahead of their respective Bangladesh Premier League matches at the Bangabandhu National Stadium today. PHOTO: FIROZ AHMED

"Everything will be quite unpredictable in the first game as this long break might have affected some of the teams," Bashundhara coach Oscar Bruzon told The Daily Star. "In our case, we keep our willingness and expectations at maximum levels as we have completed excellent training sessions at our facilities during the last weeks."

The Spaniard also wants to focus on the first three matches of the league to secure maximum points before shifting focus to the AFC Cup, where Kings will play in the group phase to be held in Maldives from May 14.

Abahani's Portuguese coach Mario Lemos is also determined to put on a good show with the help of fit-again players return alongside the inclusion of Nigerian striker Sunday Chizoba. He will hope to banish those inconsistent performances which saw the team dropping 13 points by losing one game and drawing four.

"We want to do better and must do better. We have prepared and changed a couple things and are looking forward to playing," said Lemos. "The league matches are very important to prepare for the AFC Cup; the players will get playing time, and for us some mistakes we can make in the BPL, we can try to fix them in the AFC Cup."

Like Abahani, Sheikh Jamal are also looking forward to putting up spirited performance like they had at the start of the season, especially with the best attacking line-up in the league. 

While the second phase is important for the top sides looking to improve their position in the table, it will also feature a three-horse battle for the golden boot among Brazil's Robson Da Silva (12 goals), Gambia's Omar Jobe (12 goals) Argentina's Raul Oscar (11 goals).

The second phase is also important for teams like Brothers Union, Arambagh, Muktijoddha Sangsad and Rahmatganj, who will be looking to survive the threat of relegation.

There will be three matches today. Uttar Baridhara will take on Kings, Bangladesh Police will face Abahani and Brothers Union will meet Sheikh Russel KC, all at the same venue.