Balance key to Dhaka’s might
The five-team Bangabandhu T20 Cup scheduled to begin from November 24 is set to be the Bangladesh Cricket Board's (BCB's) big step towards proper resumption of competitive cricket in the country amid the coronavirus pandemic which saw the game halted since March. Last month, the board arranged the 50-over BCB President's Cup, but it was an intra-squad tournament to give the country's top-level cricketers some match time and a means for the board to see what was possible when operating in the new normal. The Bangabandhu T20 Cup is expected to be more competitive and on a bigger scale in terms of the participation of domestic cricketers. Fortune Barishal, Beximco Dhaka, Minister Group Rajshahi, Gemcon Khulna, and Gazi Group Chattogram are the five teams that will be participating in the tournament, having picked their squads through a players' draft -- with players being divided into Grades A, B, C and D -- on November 12 at a city hotel.
In the lead-up to the tournament, The Daily Star tries to assess and analyse each of the five teams, starting with Beximco Dhaka.
BACKGROUND: During the players draft, Beximco Dhaka got the first call and roped in experienced wicketkeeper-batsman Mushfiqur Rahim from Grade A. Mushfiqur was in terrific form during the BCB President's Cup and was adjudged the player of the series. The owners from Dhaka Dynamites -- the Bangladesh Premier League franchisee -- have a reputation of forming strong and balanced squads. That was reflected during the players draft where Dhaka picked a mix of youth and experience.
NATIONAL STARS:
Apart from Mushfiqur, Dhaka also have the likes of experienced pacer Rubel Hossain, off-spinner Nayeem Hasan, top-order batsman Naim Sheikh, Sabbir Rahman in the middle, and pacer Abu Hider Rony -- all of whom have represented Bangladesh at the highest level.
LOCAL PERFORMERS:
Dhaka also has a variety of local performers. The likes of left-arm spinner Nasum Ahmed, batsman Yasir Ali, all-rounder Muktar Ali and batsman Robiul Islam have been consistent performers on the domestic circuit.
WHAT SETS DHAKA APART:
As the head of BCB's game development committee, Dhaka's coach and former Bangladesh captain Khaled Mahmud Sujon also focused on utilising promising young players from the 2019 ICC Under-19 World Cup-winning side. Skipper Akbar Ali, alongside promising left-handed opener Tanzid Hasan Tamim and batsman Shahadat Hossain Dipu will surely add a lot of energy to the side. Young left-arm pacer Mehedi Hasan Rana was a revelation of sorts during last year's Bangabandhu Bangladesh Premier League and he will make a comeback in Dhaka colours after recovering from injury.
KEY PLAYER:
Undoubtedly, Mushfiqur will be the key player. Arguably the best batsman in the country, he will be a trump card for Dhaka because of the form he has been in over the last few years. Dhaka is yet to announce their captain but whether or not Mushfiqur leads the side, he will definitely have a huge impact through his presence as batsman, wicketkeeper and also through his wisdom garnered over a decade and a half of top-level cricket.
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