Table topper Gazi Group Cricketers are flying high in the Dhaka Premier Division Cricket League 2016-17 season. They are at the summit of the 12-team points table with 16 points from eight matches and the only unbeaten side thus far.
Securing another three wins in their league campaign and three in the Super League phase will see them clinch the championship.
And Gazi coach Mohammad Salahuddin is of the opinion that the experience of their players is the major reason behind their success. They have a fine blend of Bangladesh cricketers, national discards with vast experience and a few youngsters who are quite capable of being called up to the national side in future.
“There is no mystery. Most of the cricketers in the team are either national discards or playing for the Bangladesh team for a long time now or on the verge of a national call-up. It becomes easy to motivate such cricketers as they give effort to remain in the national pipeline. And nowadays, the cricketers are very professional and understand their job well. Most of the members in the team are proven performers in the Dhaka league. They want to perform so it makes my job as a coach easy,” Salahuddin told the media on Saturday.
Despite their unbeaten run, Salahuddin informed that his team still have room to improve, especially in the bowling and fielding department.
Meanwhile, the top scorer for Gazi this season, opening batsman Anamul Haque said it is the positivity of the team management that inspires the cricketers to give their best in every game. The right-handed opener is fifth in the highest run-scorers' list in this edition with 379 runs in eight innings with an average of 47.37. The national discard has registered four half-centuries, including knocks of 97 and 93 against Abahani Limited and Brothers Union respectively.
“It always inspires you when have a positive team management. Our coach (Salahuddin) and other members of the management are very humble and try to make sure every member in the team are comfortable. Such things always motivate you to perform and get good results for the team,” said Anamul.
Besides performing for Gazi, Anamul is also making an effort to attract the attention of the national think-tank. Anamul last donned the national colours in the 2015 World Cup in Australia and New Zealand where he picked up a shoulder injury during the group stage match against Scotland in Nelson.
“There is always a chance for us to get back in the national team if you perform in the DPL. But I always try to do my best in any format that I play in. I am in good touch at the moment and will try my best to contribute for Gazi so that we end up as champion,” said the wicketkeeper-batsman.
Sunday, March 23, 2025
