Dhaka Premier League practice sessions see cricketers gasping for breath in the scorching heat

The heat wave continued unabated, hampering day-to-day life in the country.  People desperately seek the relative comfort of the shade from the scorching heat. Most people love to stay indoors if there is no emergency. Under such conditions, the country’s cricketers have been preparing themselves for the Dhaka Premier Cricket League which will kick off on Friday at three different venues -- Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium in Mirpur, Khan Shaheb Osman Ali Stadium in Fatullah and the BKSP in Savar.

Over the last few days cricketers have been practising at Mirpur in the burning heat ahead of the most coveted 50-over competition in the country. There was no way to be reluctant as it was there professional duty. 

But if one saw how much they were struggling to cope with the challenging weather conditions even during practice sessions, it is understandable how difficult it would be when they play a 50-over game in the middle. Pacer Taskin Ahmed’s words best explained the hardships that await them if the heat wave continues.  “It felt like I was dying in extreme heat when I bowled four overs,” said the Abahani paceman while sharing Tuesday’s bowling experience in the warm-up match against Prime Bank Cricket Club at Fatullah with the reporters. 

“Overall, everybody will struggle but the pacers will face the real challenge. It will be really difficult to bowl long spells. I hope the rain comes to bring some comfort,” he added.

National ODI and T20I captain Mashrafe Bin Mortaza, who will lead Kalabagan Krira Chakra in the competition, echoed the same sentiment.

“It will be a big challenge to play the best cricket under such heat. The pace bowler’s job will be especially difficult. The team may need to use the pace bowlers in small spells because fitness will be a big issue. But reality is that sometimes in a match you will simply forget it,” opined Mashrafe.