SPORTS REPORTER

Pre-tournament favourites Fortune Barishal and Rangpur Riders are in a scramble against time and circumstance to secure the services of marquee foreign players for the knockout phase of the Bangladesh Premier League (BPL), which begins in Mirpur today.

In the day’s opening game, Rangpur will take on Khulna Tigers in the eliminator at 01:30 pm while defending champions Barishal will face Chittagong Kings in the qualifier 1 at 06:30 pm.

Both Rangpur and Barishal are trying to fly in T20 stars from overseas for the knockout phases, something teams have often done in the previous editions of the tournament, however, many of their targeted players are still involved with the ongoing ILT20 in Dubai.

The Rangpur management insisted that they have contacted many star cricketers such as West Indies’ Sunil Narine and Andre Russell and Australia batter Tim David to get their services in the knockouts.

Barishal, on the other hand, through a media release informed that Kiwi pacer Adam Milne will join the team on February 3.

However, as these cricketers are still tied up with their respective franchises in the ILT20 and there is uncertainty when their stints would eventually end, the chances of them landing in Dhaka in time to play in today’s eliminator and first qualifier is very slim.

Rangpur’s targets Narine and Russell’s team Knight Riders played their last league phase match yesterday night against Dubai Capitals where if they win, they can still mathematically qualify for the playoffs.

But even if they lose and get eliminated, it will be interesting to see whether Rangpur can avail their service by flying them to Bangladesh on match day, a scene which has taken place in the previous BPL editions as well.

Their other target David is playing for the Gulf Giants’ in the ILT20 and although his team’s league phase matches are already over, they are still in contention to reach the playoffs and thus the chances of him being available for Rangpur in today’s contest is very slim.

Rangpur’s team director Shanian Taneem said they are also ‘confused’ over who they can actually bring in for the knockout phase.

“The foreign players need to complete their stints in other leagues before coming here. They are still playing in the ILT20. There is nothing concrete so far,” said Shanian.

“No teams have been knocked out from that tournament [ILT20]. If a team is eliminated, only then a player from that team can board the flight. Before that, it will be inappropriate to say anything.

“A lot depends on the results of today’s [yesterday’s] matches. Actually, we are also confused,” concluded Shanian, whose team lost four matches in a row after eight successive victories to lose their chance for a top two finish.

Meanwhile, Milne’s Sharjah Warriorz beat MI Emirates to qualify for the playoffs in the ILT20 yesterday, which all but nullifies the chances of the New Zealander to play for Barishal in the playoffs.

“He [Milne] is currently playing for his side [Sharjah Warriors] at the ILT20 today [yesterday] and it depends on his team’s result. He has commitment with the other franchise at the moment. Once he is available, we can say he is coming,” Barishal’s batting coach Nafees Iqbal told The Daily Star yesterday ahead of their match against Chittagong which will determine the first finalist of the competition.

The 11th edition of the BPL has failed to attract many big names so far as most top players have preferred to play in the ILT20 and the SA20 and it seems like it will continue to be the case in the playoffs as well.