ZCZC
BSP-17
CRICKET-AFTAB
Aftab warns Legends of Rupganj against complacency
DHAKA, April 13, 2019 (BSS)- Legends of Rupganj coach Aftab Ahmed has warned his cricketers to guard against complacency despite taking a giant leap towards their Dhaka Premier League (DPL) title, finishing the group with four points clear to their next rivals Abahani Limited and Prime Bank Cricket Club.
As the Super League phase is set to start on April 15, Aftab’s side will have clear advantage since the points of the group phase will be added here. But Aftab said they should stick to their previous policy to take a match ‘one by one’ and win, rather thinking about the title.
“From the very beginning, we are telling that we have never taken any opportunity to win the title but our goal is to take a match ‘one by one’ and win it ‘one by one’-it’s our slogan,” Aftab said here today.
“No matter against whom we are playing. What is our target is to gain two points from every match, rather thinking about winning the title.”
Legends of Rupganj showed a great consistency in the group phase winning 10 out of 11 matches and collecting 20 points, a thing that made them absolute favourite to win the premiership title. Their only defeat in the group phase came at the hands of Prime Bank Cricket Club.
Abahani and Prime Bank however are their next rivals with 16 points. Legends of Rupganj will take on Mohammedan Sporting Club in the first match of the Super League and Aftab warned his side not to take the Motijheel outfit lightly.
“There is no chance to be casual. We have to win this match and then we will think about the next match,” the former national cricketer, considered as hard-hitter batsman in his cricketing days, said.
“There will be ups and downs in the cricket game. So you have no chance to take any team lightly. In the Super League phase every team is strong. If you take anything granted, you will be loser.”
“Even when we won against Abahani in the group phase, I told the boys to play our next match against Uttara with same intensity with which we played against Abahani. The boys did so.”
What Aftab again clearly told his charges that they won’t be relaxed even if they win three matches straight in the Super League?
“We may win three matches in a row in Super League but still I told my cricketers not to be relaxed and play the last two matches with great intensity.”
Aftab however termed Mohammedan as strong outfit, saying their batting depth may cause trouble for them even though they won the game against them in the group phase.
“They have some big names in their line up like Liton Das. Roqibul has been in great form so as Avishek Mitra. But what is their advantage is Sohag Gazi’s form lower down the order. Gazi played some whirlwind knock from his position and at the same time bowled really well. So we have to be careful with Mohammedan,” he remarked.
“We are confident enough about our chance but we have to play to our potential. And the most important thing is to play with great spirit and intensity,” Aftab concluded.
BSS/SMP/BSS/1630 hrs