Riyad joins Prime Bank

The Dhaka Premier League (DPL) has officially started with a team transfer. Veteran national team cricketer Mahmudullah Riyad signed up with his old club Prime Bank on Saturday.

In a reaction on Saturday afternoon, Riyad said, ‘The most comforting news is that the Dhaka Premier League is going to be played on the field, InshaAllah. We were all waiting for this opportunity.

It is definitely a matter of joy for the cricketers.’

Mahmudullah also thanked Prime Bank Cricket Club for offering him another stint, recalling his previous appearance for the side in 2005.

He lauded the club’s professionalism, particularly in ensuring timely payments and quality facilities for players.

The senior cricketer was also happy with the team’s balance, stating that they have got a blend of experienced and young cricketers across departments.

“I am very happy with the squad I’ve got at Prime Bank. I think it’s a balanced side,” he said.

“We have players like Azizul Hakim, Tamim, Shahadat Hossain Dipu in the top order. In the middle order, there is Shamim Patwari along with me, and some promising young players.

Our pace and spin departments are also strong with the likes of Aliss Al Islam, Rafsan and Tanzim Hasan Sakib.”

There has been a certain amount of uncertainty surrounding the league’s organisation for the past few months, which has been a cause of concern for cricketers.

However, the activities of BCB’s ad hoc committee chairman Tamim Iqbal have allayed those concerns.

Giving full credit for organising the league to Tamim, ‘The credit must go to Tamim. He came and took this initiative,’ Riyad said.

Riyad believes that the league is essential not only from a financial perspective, but also to maintain the playing environment.

Giving his own reaction, he added, ‘Of course, it is a big source of income for cricketers, but at the end of the day, we all want to be on the field, play. There is nothing greater than getting the opportunity to play on the field.’