Former stars in new league

Bangladesh's cricket fans will get an opportunity to witness their former cricketing stars once again when they take part in the Walton Masters Cricket Carnival Powered by Scan Cement.

The former players have been divided into six teams: Lanka-Bangla All Stars led by Salim Shahed, Ispahani Chittagong Masters led by Akram Khan, Jaj Bhuiyan Dhaka division led by Naimur Rahman, Confidence Group Dhaka Metro led by Khaled Mahmud, Gemcon Group Khulna led by Habibul Bashar and Renaissance Rajshahi led by Khaled Mashud.

The inclusion of former cricketer Shariful Haque Plabon -- banned for an indefinite period by the Bangladesh Cricket Board for spot-fixing  in the Bangladesh Premier League -- in the Rajshahi team stirred controversy during the opening ceremony of the tournament at Mirpur yesterday.

When asked about the issue Khaled Mahmud indicated that this was not a tournament organised by the BCB. He however, said that he would discuss the issue with the board before allowing Plabon to take part in the league.