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DPL: A mixed package

Sports Reporter
As a Mahmudullah Riyad-led Gazi Tank WALTON Cricketers lifted —-^refrigerator Bangladesh's premier one-day domestic trophy—the Dhaka Premier League— on Friday, it finally marked the end of a competition that for most part of this year was in danger of being postponed. Thankfully, for the many cricketers who depend upon it for their livelihood, the League did take place- albeit with a number of firsts. The DPL this year, in a sense, resembled a mixed package with its share of new rules, controversies and good performances.
PLAYER-BY-CHOICE
The most highlighted aspect was the introduction of the player-by-choice system, where each of the twelve clubs were allowed to buy players—whose prices were fixed—turn by turn as opposed to the traditional system of the players negotiating directly with the club of their choice.
The changes that the new system brought about were readily visible as two teams - Gazi Tank and Prime Doleshwar— who had never won the competition before, upstaged the form book this year.
The new system also compelled clubs to rope more foreign players in an effort to bolster their line up. As a result, the League witnessed a record 82 foreign players.
RECORD FOREIGN RECRUITS
The inclusion of top quality foreign players was much needed, in a tournament where the clubs could not get their desired local players. At the end of the day, Gazi Tank, who had spent a great deal on the likes of Ryan Ten Doeschate, Eoin Morgan and Jacob Oram went on to win the title. Ten Doeschate finished with an average of 176 in four matches, whereas Morgan's 84 in the last innings helped Gazi win the trophy.
England's Ravi Bopara played just 10 matches for Prime Bank Cricket Club and with 670 runs was the highest run-scorer of the League. He performed with the ball as well, taking a total of 16 wickets.
Zimbabwe's Elton Chigumbura was involved in a world record when he compelled Abahani's Alauddin Babu to leak 39 runs in an over—the highest ever in List A cricket. He hammered four sixes and two fours, with the rest of the runs coming from extras.
LOCAL BOYS SHINE
Amongst the local players, Bangladesh's captain Mushfiqur Rahim was the stand out performer. He scored 624 runs at an average of 69.33 and led Sheikh Jamal Dhanmondi Club to second place. The League also saw a number of former national players getting into rhythm. Imrul Kayes with 655 runs was the second highest run-scorer of the event. Rakibul Hassan played a few match-winning
innings in the Super League for Gazi. Opener Nafees Iqbal too had a good run, scoring 430 runs at an average of 71.67. Young Mosaddek Hossain, who scored 435 at a 50plus average, seems to be a good prospect for the future.
While the slow-left arm bowlers did end up getting majority of the wickets this year, it was the pacers who impressed the most. Rubel Hossain and Al Amin Hossain, picked up 25 and 20 wickets at an average of 14.56 and 14.90 respectively.
A DELAY WITH PURPOSE
The DPL this year has been amidst controversies right from the very beginning with the starting date shifted at least five times. Many believe that the League was delayed on purpose, as it would provide the top six clubs from last year an advantage during the BCB elections. On the field too, there were complaints that a powerful club had allegedly influenced the umpires in order to avoid relegation.
UNSPORTING
Mahmudullah Riyad may have just escaped with a TK 5,000 fine in the unofficial final for inappropriate gestures towards the gallery during the match, but that sort of behaviour is not something one would expect from a national vice-captain. The same goes for Khaled Mahmud—now a board director - who was similarly penalised losing his cool during a match involving his team, Prime Bank.