Abahani Limited are in a spot of bother about the Dhaka Premier Division Cricket League 2024 title bid as they suffered a mass exodus of players due to national team commitment, which left their head coach Khaled Mahmud complain about their inability to form a playing eleven ahead of their crucial match against Sheikh Jamal Dhanmondi Club at BKSP Ground-4 on Tuesday.

10 Abahani players, including key players such as Najmul Hossain Shanto, Shoriful Islam, Taskin Ahmed, Liton Das, Mohammad Saifuddin, and Jaker Ali Anik, left their camp to join the national team for the five-match Twenty20 International home series against Zimbabwe, while two other are injured.

Abahani are just one win away from claiming their 23rd title but their head coach Mahmud suggested that the absence of the star campaigners might delay achieving that.

‘It is really difficult to form a team as ten players have left. On top of that, Khaled [Syed Khaled Ahmed] and Joy [Mahmudul Hasan] are injured. 12 players are not available,’ he said in Mirpur on Monday.

‘Now we have only six players. Although we have registered three lads, I will still need two players. I was really happy to think that I have 10 national team members.’

Given the bench strength of Abahani, the holders were expected to clinch the title of this season of the meet today as they earned thirteen straight wins. However, Mahmud fears having an inexperienced side will make it difficult to manage a win against Sk Jamal.

‘Of course, it is difficult when you are playing against a team like Sk Jamal and Mohammedan in the next two games because they are now far stronger than us on paper,’ Mahmud explained.

However, he refused to give up the fight and was ready to fight with the resources he has at his disposal.

‘The confidence would have been high if I had all the members available but now it is pretty low as I lost the strength of my bench. Nevertheless, it’s a game of cricket, and the six boys who are there are capable,’ he said.

‘Let’s see what is waiting for us since cricket is the game of uncertainty. If I got the national team members, I wouldn’t be too worried. But I believe that national team duty always comes first.’

Abahani currently sit top of the DPL points table with 26 points from 13 games, while Mohammedan Sporting Club currently sit second with 20. The only way Abahani could lose the title is if they lose all three of their games and Mohammedan win their remaining three, which would leave them level on points and as it would mean that the teams are on one win in head-to-head, it will come down to the net run rate.

Mohammedan will take on Shinepukur Cricket Club at BKSP-4 today, while Prime Bank Cricket Club will face Gazi Group Cricketers at the Khan Shaheb Osman Ali Stadium in Fatullah, Narayanganj.