Shakib goes airborne and cuts. Photo: Getty Images
Dhaka, Bangladesh (BBN) - Only five overseas players can fit into an XI so who among Dhaka Dynamites' superstars will have to sit out? Shahid Afridi? Evin Lewis? Sunil Narine? Kumar Sangakkara? Or Shane Watson? Problems of plenty, though, are easy to handle and a simple policy of rotation should do the trick.
Besides, high-quality back-ups will come in handy since the Pakistan and West Indies players are likely to leave at the end of November to play a series against each other, reports ESPNcrickinfo.
DHAKA DYNAMITES SQUAD
Shakib Al Hasan, Mosaddek Hossain, Mehedi Maruf, Mohammad Shahid, Abu Hider, Jahurul Islam, Nadif Chowdhury, Saqlain Sajib, Syed Khaled Ahmed, Shadman Islam, Noor Alam Saddam, Kumar Sangakkara, Shane Watson, Shahid Afridi, Mohammad Amir, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Rovman Powell, Ronsford Beaton, Evin Lewis, Sunil Narine, Kevon Cooper, Cameron Delport, Joe Denly, Akeal Hosein.
Their bowling attack will bank on local players like Mohammad Shahid and Abu Hider while Mohammad Amir and Ronsford Beaton bring pedigree as well. The three allrounders - Shakib Al Hasan, Afridi and Kevon Cooper - can expect support from Narine, who has shown increased batting prowess of late.
With Lewis, Sangakkara, Watson and Rovman Powell, the top order looks solid. They will be shored up by Mosaddek Hossain, Nadif Chowdhury, Cameron Delport and Joe Denly.
KEY PLAYER
Much will depend on Shakib, again, especially in tight situations. While his skill with both ball and bat is well known, Dhaka's run to the title in 2016 also showcased his nous as captain.
COACH
Khaled Mahmud continues to juggle his many roles in Bangladesh cricket, coach is perhaps the one that brings him the greatest pleasure. He was in charge of the franchise in 2016, when it won its maiden title in 2016 and will have to make big decisions again with regards to the playing XIs. It will be tempting to keep playing his plethora of stars, but the local talent also need chances.
ONE THAT GOT AWAY
Dhaka will certainly miss Dwayne Bravo who took 21 wickets in their 2016 campaign, particularly if they make it to the knockout stage again. Useful batsman, excellent fielder, and the life of any party, these benefits and more will now be enjoyed by Comilla Victorians.
FLYING UNDER THE RADAR
Khaled Ahmed is a quick bowler from Sylhet, and was one of the uncapped players that Dhaka picked up in the draft last month. His first-class (average 35) and List A (only one match played) figures do not suggest it, but he is known to be quite promising.
BBN/MMI/ANS