ICL unveils its 'Ninth' jewel in form of 'Dhaka Warriors'

১৬ ই সেপ্টেম্বর, ২০০৮ রাত ৮:৩৩

New Delhi, September 16, 2008: The Indian Cricket League (ICL) today announced the formal launch of ICL’s Season 2 along with the induction of ICL’s 9th team - Dhaka Warriors at a glittering press conference held in the capital city. Players from the Warriors side will also represent ICL Bangladesh in the forthcoming ICL World Series-Edition 2. The first phase of Season 2 starts from October 10th onwards with ICL 20s Championship featuring 9teams to be staged over 4 venues - Ahmedabad, Hyderabad, Gurgaon and Panchkula, followed by the World Series featuring 4 teams, namely ICL India, ICL Pakistani, ICL World & ICL Bangladesh to be held in Hyderabad.



With the addition of its 9th team - Dhaka Warriors, ICL becomes the biggest and most comprehensive league in the country. The new team, Dhaka Warriors will be led by Habib-Ul-Bashar & coached by Balwinder Singh Sandhu.



Speaking on the occasion, Kapil Dev-Chairman, ICL Executive Board said, "We are extremely happy to announce our Season 2 which kick-starts from October 10th onwards. With the addition of our 9th team, this Season will feature more number of matches, additional venues & an enthralling sporting product involving some of the best cricket talents from the domestic as well as international player pool. As a League for, of & by the cricketers, I can best comprehend that our nine magnificent teams are the pillars of our success & form the Nav-Ratnas or nine jewels of the first league-cricket structure in the country. "



ICL’s pioneering initiative in the last season that saw the induction of Lahore Badshahs, who played a pivotal role in taking domestic Indian cricket & its players’ fan base to an unprecedented level. The arrival of the Dhaka Warriors brings with it a whole new vibrancy to the already buoyant Indian Cricket League.



Himanshu Mody, Business Head, Indian Cricket League (ICL) said, "The overwhelming response that we have received from the cricket fraternity is best exemplified by the encouraging number of players wanting to associate themselves with the Indian Cricket League. The Indian Cricket League has today emerged as a premier sports league in the country. The growth in our infrastructure in terms of stadiums, practice facilities & player pool is for all to see, reflecting on our strong fundamentals as a sporting product. The induction of the Dhaka Warriors proves that the ICL is here to stay and grow into one of most popular sporting events in the annual sports calendar".



Kiran More, Executive Board Member, Indian Cricket League (ICL) stated, "With the inclusion of the Dhaka Warriors, our ICL domestic talent will be exposed to another international side. The new team will play an instrumental role in giving the domestic talent top-of-the-drawer competition. The introduction of Lahore Badshahs during our last season set new standards for league cricket and I am confident that the Dhaka Warriors will propel those set standards further."



The ICL recently launched Rs. 500million marketing campaign "Cricket Hai Meri Life" for Season 2. The marketing campaign revolves around the theme, Cricket Hai Meri Life and depicts the real life stories of ICL India players. This Season 2, ICL promises new age cricketainment with highly competitive, thrilling & exciting matches for the Indian cricket fan.



A glance at of some of the key Dhaka Warriors players to debut on the ICL platform (in alphabetical order):



*



Aftab Ahmed (All Rounder): A proven Under-19 performer for Bangladesh, Aftab’s prodigal talent saw him being drafted into the national Bangladesh side at the young age of 19yrs. It was Aftab who played an instrumental role in clinching Bangladesh’s biggest international victory over Australia in 2005. His sound batting technique & useful medium pacers will play a key role in the fortunes of the Dhaka Warriors at the forthcoming ICL Season 2.

*



Alok Kapali (All Rounder): A genuine all rounder, Alok has given a good account of both his bating & bowling skills at the international level. The 24 year old, Alok will be one of the key players adding depth & flexibility to the Warrior side.

*



Dhiman Ghosh (Wicket-keeper/Batsman): Dhiman is one of the upcoming talents to emerge from Bangladesh. Dhiman has given a good account of his batting talent right through his junior cricket days and has been an important member of Bangladesh’s future program teams.

*



Farhad Reza (All Rounder): A proven performer in the Bangladesh domestic structure earned Farhad a place in the Bangladesh national side in 2006. His cricket credentials are best exemplified by the fact that Farhad is the first Bangladeshi to score a 50 on debut.

*



Habib Ul Bashar (Right hand middle order Batsman): An exciting stroke maker “Sumon”, as know to his team mates, is a pleasant cricketing sight when in full flow. The former Bangladeshi captain brings with him the rich experience of having carried the batting expectations of the Bangladeshi national side on his able shoulders. His astute leadership qualities and batting prowess, will see Bashar as the fulcrum of the Dhaka Warriors batting lineup.

*



Manjural Islam (Left-arm fast Medium): Swing and pace are virtues possessed by this talented left arm pacer. Throughout his international stint, Manjural has come up with creditable performances for Bangladesh, especially in overseas helpful condition. Manjural will hold the key along with Tapash Baisya, as the new ball pair for the Dhaka Warriors.

*



Mabud Chowdhury (Wicket-keeper): Chowdhury comes from a family of first class cricketers & will play the under study role to Dhiman Ghosh in the Warriors line-up

*



Mahbubul Karim (Right-hand Batsman): The Chittagong based first class level batsman, Karim is one of the upcoming batsman from Bangladesh to showcase its talent on the ICL platform.

*



Mohammad Rafique (Left-arm spinner): An epitome of discipline & accuracy, Rafique has been the premier spinner for the Bangladesh national side. The first Bangladeshi cricketer to hold the distinction of scoring 1000runs & taking 100 test wickets, makes Rafique one of the cricketing powerhouses in the Warriors stable. His rich international exploits will see Rafique as the mainstay of the Warriors bowling line-up in the forthcoming ICL Season.

*



Mohammad Sharif (Right-arm pacer): The 6feet 5inch tall pacer, is a prodigal fast bowling talent, who made his international debut for Bangladesh at the young of 17years. Sharif is an expert exponent of reverser swing bowling and an useful over order, hard hitting batsman.

*



Mosharraf Hossain (Left-arm spinner): The young 23year old left-arm spinner has enjoyed decent success at the first class level of the game in Bangladesh. After the retirement of Mohammad Rafique, it has been Mosharraf who has played the role of a spinner it the Bangladesh national side.

*



Shahriar Nafis (Opening Batsman): The dashing south paw is one of the best cricket prodigies to emerge from Bangladesh in the recent history of the game. Shahriar has delivered creditable performance since his international debut at the young age of nineteen. Foreseen as an important member of the Warriors side; lot would depend on Shahriar’s opening guard, to give momentum to the Warrior batting in the forthcoming ICL tournaments.

*



Tapash Baisya (Right Arm pacer): Tapash is one of the best fast bowling talents to emerge in recent years from Bangladesh. The tall pacer with a slinging action can work up some decent pace to trouble the best of opposition batsmen. Tapash will be one key, the new ball bowlers in the Warriors bowling arsenal.

৭ টি +২/-৭