Second Division Cricket League set for Jan 11 start

The Cricket Committee of Dhaka Metropolis (CCDM) held a meeting with Second Division clubs on Sunday, which was attended by 14 of the 24 clubs scheduled to take part in the league. The CCDM informed the clubs that the Second Division League is slated to begin on January 11.

"Fourteen clubs were present today, while 10 did not attend. Two clubs were absent but informed us by phone that they were interested. We have arranged the players' transfer window from January 1 to 3, and we will start the league on January 11," CCDM chairman Adnan Rahman Dipon told The Daily Star.

Eight clubs were relegated after failing to turn up for the First Division League, which resumed yesterday following changes to the fixtures. The ongoing club-versus-board conflict has also cast doubt over the fate of the Premier League, as at least nine Premier League clubs are among the 44 clubs that protested the BCB elections and boycotted domestic competitions.

"We are being patient and urging everyone to participate. Let's see what happens in the Second Division and Third Division. Until things are finalised, I can't say how many teams will play in the Premier League," Dipon said.

Sources said that two club representatives at Sunday's meeting had sent their coaches to the CCDM but were not interested in participating in the Second Division League.

"We are prepared for walkovers, but we will release the fixtures with 24 teams," Dipon said, addressing the uncertainty surrounding club participation.