Salim Reza, Dhaka: Newly appointed Bangladesh Premier League Twenty20 franchise Khulna Titans head coach Mahela Jayawardene aims to create DNA and culture for the franchise which made its debut in last edition of BPL, in 2016, and finished third in the tournament.
Mahela reached Dhaka for a attended a press conference held in at Radisson Blu Hotel Dhaka.
Khulna Titans Managing Director KaziInam Ahmed, Khulna Titans Advisor cricketer Habibul Bashar and Khulna Titans Icon cricketer and Captain Mahmudullah Read were also present in the press meet.
“It is about creating a DNA for Khulna, which started as a franchise just one year. It is about building on a culture for the team. It will be one of my challenges, and make sure the foreign players understand that and become part of that DNA,” said Mahela Jayawardene at the press meet.
When quarried if the job will be hectic given the tournament format and schedule, Mahela Jayawardene said, “I think Mumbai was pretty much the same. A lot of the international players arrived 4-5 days before the tournament started.
Khulna Titans for BPL season 2017 has already roped in seven foreign cricketers. Australia batsman Chris Lynn, Pakistan captain Sarfraz Ahmed, Pakistan pacer Junaid Khan, Pakistan leg-spinner Shadab Khan, South Africa batsman RileeRousow, Shouth Africa pacer Kyle Abbott and Sri Lanka batsman SeekkugePrasanna.
Meanwhile Khulna Titans Managing Director KaziInam Ahmed said the franchise will not be limited to only playing the BPL Twenty20 tournament but also support and work on developing cricket in the country, especially in the root level.
All-rounder Mahmudullah, who is set to lead Khulna Titans for the second year in a row, believes team effort is the key to success and that the local players will have to play the key role in the tournament which is set to begin on November 4, 2017.