Uncertainty over Dhaka Premier League ends after Bulbul’s departure

Sports Desk
Under the board led by Aminul Islam Bulbul, domestic cricket in the country had come to a standstill. This sector, the main source of livelihood for cricketers, had been in a state of flux for a long time due to conflicts between clubs and the board. There was also great uncertainty over the organization of the country’s biggest List ‘A’ tournament, the Dhaka Premier League (DPL). However, after Bulbul’s departure as president, the deadlock has finally been resolved; this prestigious tournament is being played on the field, albeit on a limited scale.

The transfer date has been finalized.

After the new BCB committee took charge, the main obstacles to the start of the league began to be removed. After clearing all doubts, the Cricket Committee of Dhaka Metropolis (CCDM) announced the dates for this season’s team transfers on Monday evening. The announcement said that the team transfer formalities will be held from 11 am to 5 pm at the CCDM office at Sher-e-Bangla Stadium in Mirpur on Saturday and Sunday.

12 teams participating

The teams participating in this year’s tournament are: Abahani Limited, Mohammedan Sporting Club Limited, Gazi Group Cricketers, Legends of Rupganj, Gulshan Cricket Club, Agrani Bank Cricket Club, Prime Bank Cricket Club, Bashundhara Strikers (Dhanmondi Sports Club), Rupganj Tigers Cricket Club, Brothers Union Limited, City Club and Dhaka Leopards.

Crisis context

The crisis began with the last BCB elections. Many clubs had announced a boycott of the elections, accusing the government of interfering and influencing them. Describing Aminul Islam Bulbul as an ‘illegal president’, 48 clubs decided to stay away from all cricket activities. As a result, the first division league remained incomplete and the second and third divisions, along with the Premier League, came to a complete halt.

How the tangle was cut

After the national elections, the National Sports Council formed a special committee to investigate the irregularities in the BCB elections. Based on the report of that committee, the board led by Bulbul was dissolved. Then, when a new ad hoc committee was formed under the leadership of Tamim Iqbal, the distance between the clubs started to be bridged and the way was paved for the most exciting event in domestic cricket to be held on the field.