Just one week after shocking the league leaders and rivals Abahani Limited, Mohammedan Sporting Club is now facing a different kind of problem: they suddenly need more players before the Dhaka Premier League (DPL) Super League stage.

Even though that great win tied the points table, the established powerhouse now faces a huge problem: eight first-team players, including stars like Tamim Iqbal and Towhid Hridoy, are not available for selection.  At the most important part of the game, Mohammedan are struggling to put together a competitive XI because their squad strength is decreasing.

The regular captain, Tamim Iqbal, has had a heart attack and will not be able to play for a while. This is a huge blow to the team, both on and off the pitch.  Towhid Hridoy, who was filling in as captain, is suspended and won't be able to play in the first two Super League games.

A few more important players have joined the national team for the match against Zimbabwe, and one has been called up to the U19 team.  More cricketers have been ruled out because of injuries.  All of this means that Mohammedan has a tough job to do before their Super League season starts.

“We’ve lost eight players. Some joined the national team, some the U-19s. Tamim is recovering. A few are injured. Just making a playing XI is proving difficult,” said Mohammedan team manager and former cricketer Sajjad Ahmed Shipon.

To fill the void, Mohammedan have brought in several players from outside the tournament or those who haven’t featured much this season — including names like Farhad Hossain and Nabil Samad Chowdhury. “We’re in talks with a few more players. If the deals are finalized today, they’ll play tomorrow,” Shipon added.

There is, however, a bright side.  Mustafizur Rahman, who was injured during the league phase and couldn't play, has decided to play for Mohammedan in the Super League.  The left-arm pacer, on the other hand, needs to be carefully controlled because he can only play two games in a row before he needs to rest.  “Mustafizur has agreed to play for us. If we finalize the agreement today, he will play tomorrow,” Shipon confirmed. “He can play two games, then must rest one, and then play again. So with five matches in the Super League, we’ll have to plan wisely. It will be tricky.”