Dhaka Premier Division Cricket League 2021-22 is set to raise its curtain on Tuesday. The premier 50-over cricket tournament of the country remains named after Father of the nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman.
Cricket Committee of Dhaka Metropolis [CCDM] has confirmed fixture for the first rounds of the tournament. The tournament will however feature only 11 teams this season after Prime Doleshwar removed themselves citing unavoidable reason.
On the opening day, defending champions Abhani Ltd will take on newly promoted Rupganj Tigers at Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium in Mirpur. In the other two games at BKSP, Prime Bank Cricket Club will face City Club at Group 3 while at Ground 4, Gazi Group Cricketers will lock horns with Legends of Rupganj.
CCDM for the first time in two years has allowed participation of overseas cricketers in the tournament. A team will be allowed to play one overseas cricketer in the playing XI. However, it is only Abahani, Mohammedan SC and Shinepukur that have signed big name cricketers.
Afghanistan’s Nazibullah Zadran will play the first three games of the tournament for Abahani. From the fourth game, Indian Test cricketer Hanuma Vihari is set to join the Dhanmondi-based club.
Mohammedan, one of the big budget teams this season with inclusion of Shakib Al Hasan, Mushfiqur Rahim, Mahmudullah, Taskin Ahmed and Soumya Sarkar has roped in veteran Pakistan cricketer Mohammad Hafeez for the season.
Zimbabwe all-rounder Sikandar Raza will play for Shinpukur while Indian cricketer Ashok Menaria will be seen in the Khelaghar SKS outfit.
Former India cricketer Parvez Rasul has been signed by Sheikh Jamal Dhanmondi Club. Prime Bank and Legends of Rupganj have signed veteran Indian cricketers Abhimanyu Ishwar and Chirag Jani respectively.
Newly promoted clubs Rupganj Tigers and City Club have signed Pakistan left-arm spinner Khalid Osman and Indian batting all-rounder Baba Aparajith.
Brothers Union and Gazi group Cricketers are yet to confirm their respective overseas cricketer. Brothers Union are likely to bring in a foreign cricket mid-season while Gazi Group are still in discussion about the matter.