ZCZC
BSP-16
CRICKET-DPL-PRACTICE
Teams gearing up for Dhaka Premier League Cricket
DHAKA, March 12, 2020 (BSS)-The country’s cricket rolls onto the ground yet
again as the Dhaka Premier League (DPL), the most coveted domestic tournament
of the country is set to begin from March 15 at different venues across the
city.
Though the 12 participating teams began their practice session once the
players transfer was completed, they actually started their full-fledged
training on Thursday as the national players who were busy with the series
against Zimbabwe joined the team.
Three matches will be held everyday in the league, for which four venues –
Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium (SBNCS), Khan Shaheb Osman Ali Stadium
(KSOAS), Fatullah, BKSP-3 and 4 ground-are being used.
On the opening day of the league, defending champions Abahani Limited will
take on Partex Sporting Club at the SBNCS while Legends of Rupganj will lock
horns against Old DOHS Sporting Club at BKSP-4 ground.
In the day’s other match, Prime Doleshwar Sporting Club will face off
Brothers Union at KSOAS. In the next day, three more games will be held to
complete the first round of the league.
The CCDM initially planned to hold the first three rounds of the league
outside of Dhaka and they chose three venues in Chattogram and Cox’s Bazar.
But the outbreak of coronavirus forced the postponement of the Mujib Borsho
cricket and concert, the CCDM shifted the league to Dhaka.
Though there was apprehension of the spread of coronavirus during the
league, club officials said they are not concerned by it as they adopted a
self-protection.
“We are just thinking about our performance in the league,” said veteran
coach Sarwar Imran.
“We know there is outbreak of Coronavirus but we have taken a self-protection
and remained careful about it.”
The BCB officials earlier said they would restrict the number of the
spectators in the ground and would not allow any public gathering as a pre-
cautionary measurement.
Defending champions Abahani Limited as usually is looking for retaining
title, leaving behind the Coronavirus threat.
“We have formed a team which is able to clinch the title yet again. Even
though there is massive change to the side and you would find just three or
four players who played the last league with Abahani, we are a team with
immense confidence,” said Abahani head coach Khaled Mahmud Sujon.
“Hopefully the players will come all guns blazing. Since it’s the premier
cricket, there is always pressure from the club to win the title. But our
players are upbeat.”
BSS/SMP/ARS/1945 hrs