The Dhaka Premier League (DPL), the most coveted tournament of the country’s cricket, is all set to roll onto the ground today (Sunday) amid the coronavirus fear at different venues across the city.
This year the league is named as Bangabandhu DPL to commemorate the birth centenary of the Father of Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman.
In opening day of the league, defending champions Abahani Limited will take on Partex Sporting Club at the Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Staidium while Legends of Rupganj will face off Old DOHS at BKSP-4 ground. In the day’s other match, Prime Doleshwar Sporting Club will lock horns against Brothers Union at Khan Shaheb Osman Ali Stadium.
But while the most coveted tournament which provides bread and butter for the most of the cricketers of the country is set to begin, the festive mood doesn’t prevail, largely because of the outbreak of coronavirus, a disease that left the whole world standstill.
The Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB had already taken a step to stop any kind of public gathering in the ground while the players were advised to minimize the handshake with their colleagues. Medical stuffs are appointed in every venue, which will hold the match.
“The step and medical advisory that the government has taken to combat the coronavirus, will be followed strictly in the ground,” BCB CEO Nizamuddin Chowdhury said here on Saturday.
“We have already contacted the 12 participating clubs and in this regard a meeting was held. The clubs were advised to report to the medical team if any player feels sick or any symptom is visible. We will take necessary steps if any case is found.”
“Meanwhile handshake is a norm in the cricket field and we are habituated by it. But we are discouraging the handshake matter this time around. We requested the clubs to advise the players that they don’t handshake with other players. Normally in the local cricket the presence of spectators is minimal but still we will restrict their entrance into the stadium.”
Bangladesh ODI captain Tamim Iqbal who is playing for Prime Bank also said that they will try to avoid handshake in line with the BCB directive.
“It is a norm but this year we’ll try to avoid the handshake,” Tamim said, adding that they would try to focus on cricket only, leaving behind coronavirus outbreak.
“The BCB is our guardian and I am sure they will take the best step for us. They won’t take any decision which could harm us.”
Meanwhile country’s leading corporate house Walton became the title sponsor of the Bangabandhu DPL. The BCB announced it in a press conference on Saturday.
“Even though the stadium will empty since BCB discouraged public gathering, the league is being held in perfect time. Because there is no International commitment for Bangladesh cricket at the moment and so we’ll get all star players in the league,” said Walton’s executive director Uday Hakim.
