One cannot simply subtract the element of surprise in the Dhaka Premier League transfer window as though the new pool-quota system benefited most national players, it backfired for last season’s highest wicket-taker Arafat Sunny and off-spinner Sohag Gazi.
The two-day transfer window for the pool enlisted cricketers, in other words players who played for the national team in the past one year, came to an end at the Cricket Committee of Dhaka Metropolis (CCDM) office at the Bangabandhu National Stadium yesterday with Tamim Iqbal, the big name on the day signing for the defending champions Gazi Tank CC.
Under special arrangement Tamim signed for Lutfur Rahman Badal’s club at the owner’s Kawran Bazar office and the Chittagong opener will find Rubel Hossain and Shakib al Hasan (if permitted by the cricket board to play) alongside him.
“I along with Shakib have been playing for his (Lutfar Rahman Badal) club for the last few years and I enjoy playing for his team. Every team’s success is depended on both players and officials and if you see his records he is very successful and he knows how to manage the team very well and he also gives the freedom to the cricketers,” said Tamim after completing the formalities.
Shakib’s inclusion in the side knowing that he is banned from cricket for six months ending in December, is a gamble that Badal is taking and he informed if Shakib is not allowed to play the league they will play with two pool cricketers as a protest.
The owner also bragged about the salaries of his prime cricketers Tamim and Shakib and flagged them as the highest paid cricketers this season, ahead of Mushfiqur Rahim who has been reported by a local daily of getting Tk5m (50 lac) from Prime Doleshwar.
However, to much shock left-arm spinner Sunny, who bagged highest 29 wickets last season and also impressed for the Tigers, and Gazi were left in no man’s land.
Sunny, an integral part of the league champions Gazi Tank CC previous season, had no confirm deal till the transfer window closed yesterday at 8pm.
Meanwhile, Gazi was seen at the CCDM premises and he bought a transfer token (needed while signing for a new club) of his own money before leaving without signing for any club. Last season he played for runners-up Prime Doleshwar who already filled their three-man pool quota with Bangladesh skipper Mushfiqur Rahim, Mominul Haque and Shafiul Islam.
Back to Lutfar Rahman Badal, aka LRB and the person who earlier run clubs like Mohammedan SC and Victoria SC and currently runs Gazi Tank CC, has bought another premier league club - Kalabagan Cricket Academy, who were promoted to the top flight in the second-last season.
As his pool signings, Badal roped in Anamul Haque and Sabbir Rahman for his new club Kalabagan CA.
On the other hand, Abdur Razzak surprised many by inking a deal with Kalabagan KC as till yesterday it was known the left-arm spinner will be retained by Sheikh Jamal Dhanmondi Club, who apparently have no pool players at the moment.
Shamsur Rahman and pace bowler Robiul Islam filled the quota for Kalabagan KC as Imrul Kayes and Marshal Ayub were roped in by Victoria Sporting Club.
