On previous occasions, clubs used to involve band parties and horse-carts whilst marching into the Bangabandhu National Stadium for the players’ transfer of the most prestigious cricket competition of the country, the Dhaka Premier Division League.
However, there was no such drama yesterday in the players’ transfer held at the Cricket Committee of Dhaka Metropolis premises where giants Abahani Limited and Mohammedan Sporting Club Limited secured the services of Nasir Hossain and Mashrafe bin Mortaza respectively.
The ongoing players’ transfer was also a bit different than that of the previous season. The largely controversial ‘Players By Choice’ system which was introduced last season, was criticised by most of the cricketers.
It was scrapped this season for the more favourable traditional system of players’ transfer where the clubs buy the cricketers of their choice. The traditional system of players’ transfer, however, failed to add to the excitement at the big bowl.
Last season’s runners-up, Prime Doleshwar, were the first team to arrive on the first of the two-day players’ transfer for the national players. Bangladesh captain Mushfiqur Rahim, reportedly the most expensive player this time, signed for Doleshwar for Tk50 lakh. Paceman Shafiul Islam was also recruited by Doleshwar.
Reporters had gathered for the reaction of the national skipper but when queried about his record payment, Mushfiq appeared annoyed and informed that he was disapp- ointed that news of his fee was made public. The 25-year old said he will receive much less than the mentioned amount.
“The amount which came out in the media is not the payment that I will receive. In fact I am getting much less than that and I was shocked to see it. Whatever payment a player is receiving should be made public after asking the right person and then it should be published. And if a player is not willing to inform about his payment it is his personal matter. Tk50 lakh is a huge amount of money and it is not a matter of joke. I am receiving much less than that,” said an agitated Mushfiq.
Meanwhile, national cricketer Nasir, who was almost confirmed to turn out for Kalabagan Cricket Academy till Saturday, surprisingly opted to play for Abahani. After coming to the players’ transfer yesterday, Nasir notified he was in talks with Kalabagan CA but did not give his final commitment. After receiving a better offer from the Sky Blues, Nasir changed his mind.
“Every team has their budget. What I asked from Kalabagan CA would have been higher than their budget. Abahani are a big club and it is always fascinating to play for such a club,” said Nasir.
Abahani also retained pacer Al Amin Hossain and signed all-rounder Ziaur Rahman, completing their quota of national cricketers.
Veteran pace bowler Mashrafe on the other hand re-signed for Mohammedan alongside all-rounder Naeem Islam and Mithun Ali while Prime Bank Cricket Club concluded their signings recruiting Taskin Ahmed, Farhad Reza and Mahmudullah.
The remaining clubs who are yet to complete their signings of the national cricketers are expected to feature prominently on the second and final day of the players’ transfer today while the transfers of the remaining cricketers will take place on August 27-28.
