DPL kicks off today

The country's premier 50-over competition is set to get underway today as the Dhaka Premier League returns in its original format after it was held in the T20 format last season due time constraint induced by the Covid-19 pandemic.

Gone are the days when some of the biggest international stars used to play for the various local clubs in the tournament. Now even national team stars find it difficult to play the whole tournament due to international assignments, just as will be the case this time around. But the tournament still holds sway for the local cricketers in terms of livelihood and being in focus for national team contention.

The tournament will get underway with 11 teams after Prime Doleshwar rescinded their name from the tournament and it will be the first time since gaining List A status that the tournament will not be a 12-team competition. BCB CEO Nizamuddin Chowdhury said in a press conference yesterday that the situation was a bit 'embarrassing' since a team withdrew from the premier competition just before the start.

"We were forced to make the schedule with 11 teams since there was no other option. The legal and technical implications are being considered and any punishment [to Doleshwar] will be decided by the board," he said.

DPL has not been shy of controversy. Even last season, Mohammedan Sporting Club's Shakib Al Hasan's outrage at the umpires in a game against Abahani caught the attention of the cricket fraternity. It also brought fresh questions regarding umpiring consistency and allegations of bias in the league.

Despite the controversies, the competition gives an opportunity for local cricketers to catch the spotlight. "We were champions the last three terms and we want to continue in that vein. If you think of national team, the BPL, DPL, NCL and BCL are platforms where you can perform," Abahani skipper Mosaddek Hossain said yesterday at the captains' meet.

There will be international stars such as Mohammad Hafeez, Najibullah Zadran and Hanuma Vihari, inducing excitement among the local players. Meanwhile, Mohammedan, who built an outfit heavy with national team stars, are hopeful of making an impact early so that their national stars can then take them further when they arrive after national assignments.

The fixtures for the first two rounds have been chalked out. Abahani play against Rupganj Tigers at SBNCS while Prime Bank and Gazi Group play against City Club and Legends of Rupganj respectively at BKSP in the opening day's fixtures.