The domestic cricket of this season will begin in the capital from December 7. Although the fixture of the colourful Premier league is yet to be finalised by the Cricket Committee of Dhaka Metropolitan (CCDM), the aspirants, the mediocres and the also-rans are certain that this time round it will an altogether different ball game.
Unlike in the past, the league will be a two-day contest instead of a limited-over game. Besides, the single league format means that every match will be important. There will in all probability be no chance of a comeback in the race if one falters at any stage of the gruelling competition.
Moreover, the cricket season's traditional curtain-raiser, the Damal Smriti tournament being forced off the calendar, the teams will have had no opportunity to experiment with their players as in the past.
For the cricketers, who have practically grown up in the one-day mould, it will be a real endurance test with the welcome introduction of the longer-version of the game after a prolonged period. Cricket fans too will take a while before adjusting to the different format.
The title race in the twelve-team fray, however, promises to be a six-way heady battle with the emergence of Surjo Tarun as a force to reckon with. The hitherto mediocre team came to the limelight when they roped in half-a-dozen national players on the first day of the just-concluded three-day cricketers' transfer.
With the hectic bourse having finalised the teams and each having already started their residential camp, the Daily Star takes the opportunity to reveal the strengths and the weaknesses of the six forces.
It is only appropriate to start with the defending champions, Abahani Krira Chakra. The popular Dhanmondi outfit, who lifted the coveted title for the second consecutive year, will once again rely on skipper Akram Khan for a hat-trick of triumphs.
Despite the hopes being pinned on him, Akram seemed reluctant to continue with the demanding job for what he says to solely concentrate on his batting.
``I'm not enjoying the captaincy any more. I have done it for Abahani as well as for the national team for the last five years. I want to take a break to concentrate more on batting'', said the portly right-hander yesterday.
Abahani however is trying hard to convince the big Chittagonian to lead the team for another year.
Abahani will be denied the services of a few key players this year. Akram believes a disciplined performance of an otherwise average side can do the trick for the third time.
For Abahani, it might not be possible to fill the voids of the ever-dependable wicketkeeper,
Khaled Masood, the thrust and flair of the itchy-footed Al-Shahriar Rokon, and the effective bowling of slow left-armer Saifullah Gem.
Nonetheless, with an undisciplined but otherwise enterprising Mehrab Hossain filling the top-order, and right-arm seamer Hasibul Hossain spearheading the bowling, Abahani looks to have somewhat managed to make up the loss, even if partially so.
``Among the three, I think we will sorely miss Saifullah Gem and Pilot (Khaled Masood). The inclusion of Opee (Mehrab) has definitely filled the void of Rokon'', said Abahani's coach Sarwar Imran while talking to this correspondent yesterday.
``I think our batting looks more solid than the bowling. Azam and Hannan, who are likely to open the innings, are real grafters. Although Hannan looks a little uncomfortable on the backfoot, we are working hard to solve the problem'', said 'big guy' Imran, who is also looking forward to win the title for a third year.
``Opee will bat at number three. I believe he is more reliable than Rokon. Although Rokon is brilliant on his day, Opee is always among the runs. But our batting strength lies on the prowess of Akram and Naimur who have been forming the solid middle-order for the last few years. Besides, we have a genuine all-rounder in the likes of Rahul, who won many a match for Abahani last season'', said the former coach of BKSP.
``Apart from Shanto (Hasibul), the bowling appears unpredictable at this moment. Iqbal is a disciplined bowler. So is Colonel. But we are still in need of quality spinners. Although we have got an experienced Effee (Saidul Islam) and the unheralded left-arm spinner Masood Rana, they do not look up to the mark at this moment'', said Imran, adding that Effee is now a pale shadow of his former brilliant self and has lost most of his loops.
``But our main problem is that we lack a quality wicketkeeper. Rokon (jr) has played seven matches in the absence of Pilot last year. But he is too young to keep for Abahani'', said Imran, quickly adding that they have another option in the likes of Tuhin, an inexperienced stumper that Abahani collected from Surjo Tarun this year.
Replying to a query, Imran said: ``If you consider the strengths of the six aspirants on paper, Abahani is placed behind Biman, Surjo Tarun and Brothers Union. I think Biman is the most balanced side among the six. Brothers and Surjo Tarun are equally poised in the second spot and we are slightly better than Kalabagan. Mohammedan is perhaps the weakest side among the six''.
``But you can hardly say who is going to win the race since things will be decided on the field. Ours was not a star-studded side for the last two seasons, but we still won the trophy. Because we knew our limitations and acted accordingly. Besides, we have a fantastic practice ground that the others lack. Moreover, the team management is very much involved. We always enjoy our game whether we lose or win'', rounded off Imran.