Much awaited DPL gets underway today

The domestic cricketers of the country can finally rejoice as the Bangabandhu Dhaka Premier Division T20 League, an alternative to the suspended edition of the prestigious 50-over competition, is set to kick off from today, long after the coronavirus outbreak forced to suspend the tournament after the first round in March last year.

A total of six matches will be played in a day at three different venues to complete the league in such a time frame so that it doesn't overlap with the Tigers' international cricket commitments. The tournament will be played in a double league format with the first and the second set of games to begin at 9 am and 1.30 pm, respectively.

Combining the presence of all the national cricketers this time around and BCB's decision to telecast the games on its YouTube channel, the tournament is expected to receive plenty of enthusiasm.

Abahani led by Mushfiqur Rahim take on Partex in the opening game of the tournament in Mirpur. Elsewhere, Naeem Islam's Legends of Rupgonj face off with Old DOHS led by Mominul Haque, while Prime Doleshwar led by Marshal Ayub take on Brothers at BKSP ground 3 and 4 respectively in the first half of days' fixtures.

In the afternoon matches, Sheikh Jamal Dhanmondi led by Nurul Hasan take on Khelaghar SKS in Mirpur. However, Sheikh Jamal Dhanmondi will be without former Bangladesh ODI captain Mashrafe Bin Mortaza, who has pulled himself out citing his lack of preparation for the competition. Previously, the veteran right-arm pacer was part of the team when the tournament began last year.

At BKSP ground 3, Anamul Haque will lead Prime Bank, which also features the Tigers ODI skipper Tamim Iqbal, against Mahmudullah Riyad's Gazi Group, while BKSP ground 4 will witness Shakib Al Hasan's Mohammedan in their game against Shinepukur Cricket Club.

The BCB is determined to ensure the bio-secure bubble, having also assigned compliance managers to look after the proceedings at the four different five-star standard hotels in Dhaka, where the players and officials have already checked in. 

"Amid the Covid-19 situation, it was a daunting task to arrange a tournament of such magnitude with 12 teams. As there are many people who are financially dependent on this tournament, it was vital for it to happen," said the BCB director Kazi Inam Ahmed yesterday.

"The toughest job for us was to create the bio-bubble and I would like to thank BCB, logistics, the board CEO and the medical committee for the support. Having already arranged a local tournament and international series, to implement what we learned from the experience would be our objective," Inam said.

"Even the driver and the assistant of the team busses, along with officials and players of course, was made to go through successive Covid-19 tests and was provided accommodation," he emphasized further.

Interestingly, this Dhaka league season also happens to be Shakib's first appearance in five years.