Mohammedan stars need to assemble after Shakib leaves
Mohammedan had begun their Dhaka Premier League (DPL) campaign with four defeats in five games, with one being abandoned, but after a thrilling win at Fatullah yesterday, the momentum seems to have finally gathered in their sail with yesterday's win seeing them clinch four matches back-to-back.
Star players often do not have the desired effect, but all-rounder Shakib Al Hasan's return to the dugout has turned the tide although he has not been the biggest contributor with either bat or ball.
Courtesy of yesterday's 10-run win, Mohammedan are still in with a shout to play the Super League phase. But given the team they have, such a turnaround should not have been necessary to be in contention.
Mohammedan had failed to make the Super League last season despite having star players such as Shakib, Taskin Ahmed, Mushfiqur Rahim and Mehedi Hasan Miraz in the squad. But national assignments denied Mohammedan from getting their service in crucial matches and Shakib later played for Legends of Rupganj in the Super League phase.
This season, they have again gone for stars in Shakib, Riyad, Miraz, Soumya Sarkar and Rony Talukdar but availability remains an issue.
Shakib's contribution with the bat and ball turned out to be meaningful in the end in a low-scoring affair yesterday.
Mohammedan lost three wickets inside nine overs with Soumya Sarkar failing to shine once more before Miraz departed cheaply as well.
Shakib, along with veteran Riyad, strung together a 53-run stand and despite Shakib's departure for 37, Riyad's 68-ball 58 and Jake Lintott's 28 saw them reach 190 before being bowled out with more than four overs to spare.
After the exchange, Shakib bagged two while left-arm leg-spinner Lintott bagged a fifer to thwart Brothers Union.
Mohammedan officials informed that they hoped Shakib would be available till the April 17, the date of the final round of the first league phase. But if him staying increases their chance of making the Super League, there is concern regarding what happens afterwards.
The DPL has been a major testing ground for players harbouring hopes of making it to the national team. Soumya and Riyad are two looking to make a return and their performances will not only be vital for Mohammedan but their futures too.
However, Soumya has clearly not impressed selectors. "Not getting what is expected of Soumya. He is still in our thoughts. If he does well in domestic cricket, our pool of players will be bigger. There is no doubt about his ability but also a little disappointed," selector Habibul Bashar told the media yesterday at Fatullah.
"Everyone is talking to him. He is being given the mental support he needs but sometimes, a cricketer has to save himself," the selector said.
Soumya and Mahmudullah have scored a few runs this DPL, but the impact has not been felt. Bashar believed Soumya's batting plan needed to improve. "He has to decide on his batting plan. There is nothing to tell him, he will have to get it himself," Bashar said.
That plan will have to come through for others if the pool of players for the national team is to get bigger. Afif Hossain has been amongst the runs for Abahani, another looking to return after being dropped.
"Afif is doing what was asked of him. When someone is outside national team, the expectation is they will score runs in domestic cricket and return with confidence," Bashar said.
Soumya too needs to take the cue and score big runs to change his fortune and Mohammedan will be hoping it comes when Shakib will not be there to inspire. But first, they still need to make the Super League. They are currently sixth in the table, with their last title coming in 2009-10 season.
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