Rupganj sign Mashrafe, Ashraful to Kalabagan

On the first day of the players' transfer of the Dhaka Premier League, Bangladesh's limited-overs captain Mashrafe Mortaza moved to Legends of Rupganj from Kalabagan Krira Chakra. The transfer window of two days allows the Dhaka clubs to officially get into contracts with the players for the forthcoming Dhaka Premier League.

Mashrafe is Rupganj's first national pool player (contracted by the BCB) for this season, who, like all the other clubs, are allowed to have three pool players. Mashrafe, who will leave Dhaka on Saturday to lead Bangladesh in the ODIs and T20s in Sri Lanka, said that the transfers were welcomed by the players.

In the previous season, the BCB had decided to hold a players' draft instead of a transfer, a replica of what they did two seasons prior too. The draft curbed the players from their choice of clubs and let the clubs choose who they wanted.

"I am excited that the players transfer has returned to the traditional system because it gives the players the freedom to choose their team. It's a good occasion to celebrate," Mashrafe said.

Sheikh Jamal Dhanmondi Club remained busy on the opening day signing Abdur Razzak, Elias Sunny, Tanbir Hayder and Nurul Hasan.

Defending champions Abahani Limited signed up Shuvagata Hom, and the latest entrant into Bangladesh's ODI squad, Sunzamul Islam.

Among the 87 players who made their moves on the first day of the transfer window was Mohammad Ashraful, the former Bangladesh captain who returned from his three-year suspension last year. He signed up for Kalabagan Krira Chakra.