Surjo Tarun Club was the talk of the town during the three-day long inter-club cricketers' transfer at the fag end of last month. The Dhanmondi-based club gained most from the transfer and then emerged as a new power-house in Dhaka's cricket arena.
Afzalur Rahman Sinha, the club president, who is also the proprietor of Acme Laboratories, has given a new dimension to the side by spending the biggest purse this season.
The most interesting aspect of the Tarun strategy was to cause problems for the two popular outfits -- Premier Division champions Abahani Krira Chakra and their arch rivals Mohammedan Sporting Club--by roping in a few of their major players. Former national skipper and the most experienced batsman Minhazul Abedin, and opener Parvez Ahmed from Mohammedan and national middle-order batsman Al-Shahriar and national wicketkeeper Khaled Masood from Abahani crossed over to Surjo Tarun.
In addition, they also have discarded national opener Athar Ali Khan from Biman as a suitable replacement for Javed Omar, who joined the national airlines. Medium-pacer Sajal Chowdhury from Biman, veteran national all-rounder Enamul Haque from Kalabagan Krira Chakra and opening batsman Ridwan Hasan of Lalmatia moved to Surjo Tarun to make theirs one of the most formidable batting sides this season.
The batting order will be further enriched by two former national openers Nurul Abedin, the elder brother of Minhazul, and Zahid Razzak. Both of them stayed put with the club from last year's squad along with left-arm seamer Anisur Rahman, medium-pacer Khairuzzaman and left-arm spinner Rafiqul.
Besides, another left-arm spinner Zafar Qureshi from Pakistan is likely to join Surjo Tarun soon.
The big question, however, remains: Will they be able to win the most prestigious title of the country--the Premier league--this season? Because most of their new recruits are aged and their bowling lacks the edge. Among the five national pool cricketers, Minhazul, Enamul and Athar are over-30. Moreover, Minhazul and Athar are now out of the national team because of their poor form. Anis is also out of the national team for a long period for the same reason while Al-Shahriar is now the only batsman playing for Bangladesh.
How good will they be for a two-day 80-overs-a-side match? And how does the former national all-rounder and Surjo Tarun's coach, Jahangir Shah Badshah, rate his team?
``I think we have a pretty good balanced side with a mixture of experience and youth. The only thing I need to put in them is that they will not be playing a 50-overs-a-side match. Instead, this will be an 80-overs-a-side affair, which is a different ball game. If they can assimilate that point, they will be a good side,'' said Badshah while talking to The Daily Star on Sunday.
``Most of them have the experience of playing the longer version of cricket and some of them are playing for the last 13 to 15 years. That will be most effective this time. And I don't really believe in age because if I can play still at the age of 49, I don't agree that Minhazul, Athar and Enamul are too old. They are still in good form. The only problem I might face from them is injury.
``Don't think we do not have any problems. We have indeed and we are working on them. The main problem is time. I hardly have any time to prepare them. We also have bowling problems, specially with the pace attack. But I'm quite confident that the bowlers will rectify themselves soon. After watching the bowling of Anis and Khairuzzaman in our last practice match, I gave them some tips and they are showing improvements in their bowling already.
``I have a very good third seamer in Athar Ali and, if required, Sajal will also be called to bowl. About the spin attack, Al-Shahriar is a recognised legee, who will support left-arm spinner Enamul Haque. There will be another left-arm spinner in Rafiqul and you know Zafar Qureshi is coming. The only problem we are going to face is the shortage of an off-break bowler,'' said Badshah.
When asked about his bating line-up, Badshah could not give any final verdict.
``I'm yet to decide on that because we have five recognised openers in Athar, Parvez, Ridwan, Zahid Razzak and Nurul Abedin. Two of them certainly will open. I will try to keep the youngsters in the top order so that the seniors can provide back-up support. If Athar and Ridwan open, then Parvez or Zahid Razzak have to go at number three. Minhazul will come at four followed by Al-Shahriar. Then Nurul Abedin and Zahid Razzak will get in before wicketkeeper Khaled Masood takes over. So you see, we have a strong set of batsmen,'' a confident Badshah said.
Badshah rated Abahani and Mohammedan as the most powerful sides in the league.
``They have the habit of winning titles. So, never underestimate them. So what Mohammedan have a poor side now. With two foreign batsmen, they can still change the whole picture of the title race,'' said Badshah.
Replying to another question whether with this team he can win the maiden league title for Surjo Tarun, Badshah said, ``I want to try. I want to break the monopoly of Abahani and Mohammedan because they are always winning. I want to change this trend. If everything goes according to the way I want my cricketers to play, you will never be able to write us off.''
Note: This is the last edition of our current series