This season of Dhaka Premier Division Cricket League could have been an important platform for Bangladesh U-19 cricketers who made history for the country by becoming the champions of ICC U-19 Cricket World earlier this year. The occasion for majority of these young cricketers would be the first that where they could feature in a men’s competition and showcase their talent against the big boys.
However, rising concern of coronavirus saw all sporting activates in Bangladesh get postponed including that of cricket. The ongoing season of Dhaka League was shelved to uncertainty right after its second round matches as Bangladesh Cricket Board came to the decision of suspending all its on-field activity until further notice.
The players have been asked to stay home during this time of crisis and are provided with Mental and Physical exercise tips. It is understood that if the situation in the country over coronavirus doesn’t get better by end of April, this season of Dhaka League will be pushed to next year.
Dhaka League, the premier 50-over cricket tournament of the country, is considered as a producer of top cricketers in the country given the tough competition that takes place between the top 12 cricket clubs from the capital city.
#BCB to aid players outside their contract https://t.co/ncVCHLrSdl
— Dhaka Tribune Sports (@Sport_DT) March 29, 2020
Bangladesh U-19 captain Akbar Ali expressed his frustration over missing the opportunity and that many of them had plans in order to establish themselves in the men’s competition.
“DPL was a big great platform for us [U19 cricketers]. The senior players could have shared their experience with us but we lost the opportunity due to the unexpected situation. I had plans regarding this season and I wanted to play well and do well in match by match,’’ said wicket-keeper batsman Akbar who was signed by Gazi Tank Cricketers for the season.
“Currently our manager sir has told us to be at home and not to go outside and I am working on my fitness from home. I am looking forward to start afresh when cricket resumes,’’ Akbar added.
Left-arm spinner Hasan Murad was roped in by Shinepukur CC but as it happened he could play only one game to bag one wicket conceding 41 runs before the tournament got suspended. The18-year-old Murad is hopeful that the crisis will end soon and cricket resumes
“The tournament has not fully stopped [for the year]. There is no official announcement on it yet. I was in a good rhythm and bowled well in the first match but there is some gap afterwards. For any cricketer if there is any gap between matches it is a loss for them and now I am trying to keep myself fit working out at home,’’ Murad informed.
‘’The Dhaka Premier League was a great opportunity but we lost to the situation which is beyond our control,’’ he added.
Right arm-pacer Tanzim Hasan Sakib did not complain given the situation is not in their hand and that the only thing they can do now is to hold to their fitness and mentality that has been a key behind Bangladesh’s win in the U-19 World Cup.
Coronavirus: BCB asks players to follow mental health tips https://t.co/x0VHR1RqIB
— Dhaka Tribune Sports (@Sport_DT) March 28, 2020
On February 9 at Potchefstroom, Bangladesh U-19 won by three wickets against defending champions India U-19 to create history and make the country go into wild celebration.
“The reason matches has stopped is at nobody hands as it is due to the unexpected situation as we have no control over our nature. Everyone wanted to play but it is stopped right now. We all were in good shape. We had the opportunity to play in DPL after winning the World Cup,’’ said Sakib, who bagged seven wickets in five innings in World Cup.
“I am aware of my fitness and working from home and doing some home work as well. I am strictly maintaining my diet and hopefully the matches will start soon,’’ he concluded.
The coronavirus pandemic has so far seen Bangladesh confirm five deaths and 48 infections of which 15 have recovered until Sunday. The fast spreading coronavirus, which was first reported in China's Wuhan, has infected 664,672 people and claimed 30,892 lives till 1:10pm on Sunday, according to Worldometer.
Globally, a total of 142,368 infected people have also recovered from Covid-19, a pandemic announced by the World Health Organization (WHO).
