¶¶Òõ¾«Æ·

The Dhaka Premier Division Cricket League, the country’s biggest cricket tournament, starts today with three matches across two venues.

Defending champions Abahani Limited face one of the two newcomers, Agrani Bank Limited, at the Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium in Mirpur, while Mohammedan Sporting Club take on another newcomer, Gulshan Cricket Club, at BKSP Ground-3, and Prime Bank Cricket Club collide against Rupganj Tigers Cricket Club at the BKSP Ground-4.

The BCB has announced the fixtures for the first four rounds, which would run until March 13.

The national team’s recent failure in the ICC Champions Trophy will certainly draw more attention to the league, which is played in a 50-over format. As there’s no fixture for the national team, all the national players are expected to take part in the league.

Though there had been uncertainty over the participation of batter Liton Das, who was dropped from the national squad for the Champions Trophy, was roped in by Gulshan at the last moment.

There is also uncertainty over the participation of pacer Mustafizur Rahman, who last season didn’t take part in the league due to his commitment in the IPL with Chennai Super Kings.

Tamim Iqbal, who will be captaining Mohammedan and is also one of the investors of Gulshan Club, confirmed it to the reporters on Sunday. Though he didn’t confirm whether Mustafiz got any team or not.

‘I don’t know about Mustafiz,’ said Tamim. But if this has happened [that Mustafiz hasn’t got any team], then it’s unfortunate. They’re [Liton, Mustafiz] the best in the country; they must play. The Premier League is the backbone of the country’s cricket, as I said earlier. There are many big clubs; I hope someone will rope him in.’

There will also be no Shakib Al Hasan, who is yet to return to Bangladesh after the fall of the Awami government back in August last year.

Legends of Rupganj had roped in the best cricketer in the history of the country on the first day of the players’ transfer. But Shakib withdrew himself on the next day.

However, once again, the scheduling of the country’s premier domestic competition raised questions. To accommodate BPL, it has been pushed towards the summer.

This time, it also clashes with the holy month of Ramadan, when the Muslims observe fasting.

Tamim said that it’s tough for the players with such scheduling.

‘Sometimes it’s hot; now there will be Ramadan,’ said the left-handed batter who recently announced his retirement from the national team.

‘It’s impossible to play. Moreover, there’s that journey [to BKSP, which is located in Savar, about 40km away from Dhaka]. You have to travel for almost six hours. This is so tough for the cricketers.’

There were also concerns over the players’ payment. Tamim himself talked about it after the official photo session of the captains on Saturday.

‘Everything is alright regarding the play and umpiring. But the clubs must ensure the players’ payments so that every cricketer will get it. To me, this is the most important part,’ said Tamim.