Surjo Tarun Club has kicked up real sensation yesterday on Day One of the three-day inter-club cricketers' transfer when the mediocre-turned-aspirant signed up seven players including a quintet of national stalwarts, but all on commission.
Surjo Tarun hardly made its appearance among the heavyweights of the Premier League during a hectic bourse at the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) office on Wednesday evening. But the Dhanmondi-based outfit stole the limelight by luring former national captain Minhazul Abedin (from Mohammedan), Athar Ali Khan (from Biman), Enamul Haq Moni (from Kalabagan), Al-Shahriar Rokon and national wicketkeeper Khaled Masud Pilot (from Abahani).
Apprehending interference from their old clubs, the seven went on voluntary hibernation to Coxes Bazar; and thus the need for signing on commission. It could however not be confirmed till late last night whether they have returned to Dhaka.
Among its haul, Surjo Tarun also roped in young and up-coming right-hand batsman Ridwan from Lalmatia and opener Parvez Ahmed of Mohammedan.
Despite losing Athar Ali, Biman had a happy day by signing up three players, again on commission. Jahangir Talukder Dulu of Mohammedan, Safiullah Gem of Abahani and Rafiqul of Ajax have signed for the national airline outfit, who have retained the services of captain Faruque Ahmed along with Habibul Bashar Sumon, Ziaur Rashid Rupom, wicketkeeper Atiar and Hasanuzzaman. Biman, almost with a vengeance, signed up Surja Tarun's opener Javed Omar Belim to retrieve the loss of Athar to the emerging giants.
The opening day was also marked by a foreign signing by Kalabagan, who took away Pakistani Sahid Sayeed from Surjo Tarun's disposal.
It was however Mohammedan Sporting Club, who returned the worst campaigner on an eventful day. Mohammedan, who are going through a bad time for the last couple of years, could only manage to retain the services of Mohammed Rafique and Monjurul Islam among the pool players. The notable signings for Mohammedan were Abahani's seamer Zakir Hossain, Agrani Bank's Nasirul Alam Nahid, Gopibagh Friends' wicketkeeper Golam Murtaza and Wari's off-spinner Jamaluddin Babu.
Defending champions Abahani Krira Chakra, who lost some of their key players, appeared to have compensated the voids of Al-Shahriar and wicketkeeper Khaled Masood when they bagged Mehrab Hossain and Hasibul Hossain from the rival tent of Mohammedan Sporting Club.
With the inclusion of Mehrab, the experienced opener, and tall national right-arm seamer Hasibul, Abahani completed their quota of five pool players. Skipper Akram Khan, his deputy Naimur Rahman and opener Azam Iqbal have decided to stay back in the popular Dhanmondi tent for another year.
Although Naimur, the discarded national all-rounder, and Azam came along with their club officials to the BCB office, Akram opted not to face the eagerly awaiting photographers.
Abahani have also roped in Agrani Bank's young opener Hannan Sarker and GMCC's left-arm spinner Masud Rana.
Besides, Abahani have ensured the services of six of their old players -- left-handed opener Imran Hamid Partho, Iqbal, Ashfaq Ali Khan Rahat, Ahmed Kamal Colonel, Naimur Rashid Rahul and wicketkeeper Rokon (jr).
Abahani's neighbours Kalabagan, who finished third in the Premier league last year, also had a busy day. The new leviathans of domestic cricket, whose hopes to retain the services of Enamul Haq evaporated after the latter joined Surjo Tarun, seemed to have made up the loss of the slow left-armer by hooking young off-spinner Fahim Muntasir Sumit and his Agrani Bank mate Mushfiqur Rahman Babu. The inclusion of the Bank duo also completed Kalabagan's quota of five players bracketed in the national 'pool'. Moreover, Kalabagan have also signed up Mohammedan's Sajid Hasan and Mukul.
Hard-hitting opener Harun-ur Rashid Liton, Sajjad Ahmed Monsur Shipon and seamer Zakir Hasan are the other three 'pool' players, whose services Kalabagan have retained for another season.