Mohammedan surge as DPL transfer power shifts

For more than a decade, Abahani Limited built a squad resembling a national team in the Dhaka Premier Division Cricket League (DPL). Their dominance was reflected not only in their playing eleven but also in their bench strength, where even established national players often had to wait for opportunities. The results followed, with Abahani clinching six titles in the last eight completed editions, underlining a period of remarkable consistency.

However, with shifts in the country’s administrative and political landscape, the balance of power appears to be changing. Their traditional rivals, Mohammedan Sporting Club, have emerged as the most aggressive side in the ongoing transfer window.

Yesterday, the opening day of the two-day transfer window, Mohammedan made a strong statement by signing 11 cricketers, including three current national players: Rishad Hossain, Tanvir Islam and Afif Hossain. They also added experienced domestic names such as Anamul Haque Bijoy, Mohammad Naim, Parvez Hossain Emon and Yasir Ali, along with promising pacer Ripon Mondol.

Their recruitment drive is expected to continue today, with several high-profile players targeted, including Tawhid Hridoy, Taskin Ahmed, Mushfiqur Rahim, Taijul Islam and Mohammad Saifuddin. Mohammedan, champions last in 2009-10, are still chasing their first title since the league gained List A status in 2013–14, having finished runners-up to Abahani last season.

Abahani, however, have also remained active. On the opening day, they secured Jaker Ali, Soumya Sarkar, Mahidul Islam Ankon and Khaled Ahmed, among others, and are expected to finalise deals with Najmul Hossain Shanto, Mosaddek Hossain Saikat and youngsters Jishan Alam, S M Meherob Hasan and Rakibul Hasan.

Elsewhere, Mahmudullah moved to Prime Bank Cricket Club from Mohammedan, Mominul Haque joined Dhaka Leopards from Abahani, while Tanzid Hasan Tamim and Tanzim Hasan Sakib also joined Prime Bank from Legends of Rupganj.

A total of 79 players featured across eight clubs so far: Abahani Limited, Agrani Bank Cricket Club, Bashundhara Strikers, City Club, Dhaka Leopards, Gulshan Cricket Club, Mohammedan Sporting Club and Prime Bank Cricket Club. The remaining sides, including Gazi Group Cricketers, Legends of Rupganj, Rupganj Tigers Cricket Club and Brothers Union Limited, will complete their business today ahead of the season, set to begin in the first week of May.

This year’s transfer window carried added significance amid earlier uncertainty over the league, following a boycott threat from clubs that had questioned the legitimacy of the Aminul Islam-led board. The situation eased after the board was replaced by an ad hoc committee headed by Tamim Iqbal, allowing the league to proceed.

“I think credit goes to Tamim [Iqbal] because he came and took this initiative [after becoming BCB ad hoc committee president]," said Mahmudullah. 

"And most importantly, at the end of the day, cricket is definitely one of our major sources of income, but cricketers always want to be on the field and play, and there’s nothing bigger than that."