Abahani jolt after losing key players to national call-up

|| CF DESK ||

Abahani's head coach Khaled Mahmud Sujon expressed frustration as his team lost 10 key players ahead of their Dhaka Premier League Super League match against Sheikh Jamal Dhanmondi Club at BSKP Ground-4 on Tuesday.

The Bangladesh Cricket Board announced a 15-member squad for an upcoming five-match T20I series against Zimbabwe, which significantly impacted Abahani's lineup.  The Tigers are slated to play the T20I opener of the five-match series on May 3 at the Zahur Ahmed Chowdhury Stadium in Chattogram and have completed a three-day training camp today at the venue.

The defending champions filled with national team players, now find themselves in a difficult position, forced to rapidly assemble a new team for the upcoming game.

Among the players who have been called up to the national team are Najmul Hossain Shanto, Liton Das, Towhid Hridoy, Jaker Ali Anik, Taskin Ahmed, Shoriful Islam, Tanzim Hasan Sakib, Tanvir Islam, Afif Hossain, and Mohammad Saifuddin. Additionally, injuries have sidelined Khaled Ahmed and Mahmudul Hasan Joy, further compounding Abahani's challenges.

"It's difficult to play [like this]….because making the team has become a challenge. There aren't even 10 players; Khaled [Ahmed] and Joy [Mahmudul Hasan] are injured. So overall, we won't have 12 players. We have six other players and I've roped in three more. Let's see if I can find one or two more. I am trying to bring in players from wherever I can," Sujon told reporters on Monday.

Abahani are in a favourable position to defend their crown as they need just one win from their last three fixtures to guarantee back-to-back titles.

Given these significant losses, Sujon and his coaching staff face a daunting task as they prepare to field a competitive team for the match. Despite the plight of their depleted lineup, Sujon assured that he will keep on fighting with whatever he has at his disposal.

“When you face teams like Sheikh Jamal DC and Mohammedan, it is difficult for sure. On paper, they are stronger than us now [because of the departure of 10 players]. But I am not worried and will fight. I can't bring in players from the first division because you have to take non-registered players. I've brought in two from Rajshahi and am trying to get 12-13 players," he added.