Concerns as Mymensingh Premier League starts today

Mymensingh Premier League (MPL), the first 100-ball cricket tournament of the country, gets underway in Mymensingh today amid concerns over health safety of the cricketers involved.

Marking the birth centenary of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, the tournament titled 'Walton MPL-2020, a Battle of 100 Balls', will feature a number of former national players as well as members of the Under-19 World Cup winning team.

Mymensingh Masters Cricket Association (MMCA), a forum of ex-cricketers, is organising the event at the Mymensingh Circuit House ground.

A total of six teams, split into two groups, will take part in the five-day tournament, which will conclude on December 25, informed organisers at a press conference yesterday.

According to the organisers, the tournament will feature former national team players such as Mohammad Ashraful, Rakibul Hasan, Iliyus Sunny, Suvagata Hom, Sabbir Rahman, Arafat Sunny, Nasir Hossain alongside U-19 World Cup team members including Akbar Ali, Parvez Hossain Emon, Tanjid Hasan Tamim and Towhid Hridoy.

Although the organisers claimed that health guidelines and social distancing will be maintained, there is a fair amount of skepticism whether that is even possible at a divisional city and under the auspices of a local association.

Bangladesh Cricket Board's CEO Nizamuddin Chowdhury said they discourage players to be involved with any such events outside the jurisdiction of the BCB, especially during the pandemic era.

"Keeping Covid-19 at bay is a very big challenge. From the experience of the BCB President's Cup and the Bangabandhu T20 Cup, I can say that organising events entails a lot of challenge, with great logistical and monetary investments needed during pandemic. It takes a lot of planning, effort and investment to ensure a bio-bubble. We have always discouraged players from committing to any such events and asked everyone to maintain caution and personal health safety," Chowdhury told The Daily Star.

Akbar Ali is one of the players to feature in the tournament, as per the organisers. When contacted, the wicketkeeper-batsman said he received an invitation, but was yet to decide on participation.

"Someone informally asked me to play in a league a few days ago. I am still not certain whether I will play or not. I haven't made any commitments yet," said the 19-year-old, who, along with the other members of the U-19 World Cup winning team, is under BCB's Game Development committee contract.

*Our Mymensingh correspondent contributed to this report.