The ruins of a great rivalry

We will have an Abahani-Mohammedan clash on a cricketing plain today. This is a fixture -- be it in football, cricket or hockey -- that has been evoking a lot of adrenalin among fans in this part of the world in the three decades since independence.

But the age-old rivalry that once defined Bangladesh's sporting culture has now turned into a mere battle. The Cricket Committee of Dhaka Metropolis (CCDM), in a circular yesterday, invited all to watch the game at the Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium in Mirpur today. The entry will be free but one can hardly expect a decent attendance for a game that guaranteed full houses in the past.

The once-strong fan base of the two camps has gradually deserted them. And in the absence of effort from both clubs, especially Mohammedan, the new generation of sports lovers considers that historic battle as just a myth. This is also the case for those who are sporting the once-famed shirts of the 'Sky Blues' or 'Black and Whites'.

“I don't know how important the clash was between Abahani and Mohammedan was before. But for the few years I'm playing for Abahani I have not felt that, to be honest. I also haven't seen that many fans in a match between the two teams. We are just preparing for this particular game like any other matches,” Abahani's young middle-order batsman Mosaddek Hossain told reporters at Mirpur yesterday.

In the past the line-ups of the two rivals ahead of the mouthwatering clash dominated discussion most and it was widely circulated in newspapers. The respective foreign recruits were also hot topics.

Both Abahani and Mohammed have foreign recruits in the line-up for today's game, but they are just two average players from India -- Bipul Sharma for Mohammedan and Manpreet Gony for Abahani. Both were spotted in a shopping mall enjoying their time together yesterday afternoon.

Had it been the case when the battle was much more intense, the sojourn of the two Indians would have created a ripple.

Abahani captain Mashrafe Bin Mortaza is perhaps the only member on either side who has been a part of that magnificent Abahani-Mohammed rivalry.

But the battles for the last few years have turned more one-sided with Mohammedan refusing to spend enough money to form a competitive team. They have won only once against Abahani in the last five years, let alone winning the coveted league. More embarrassing for them was when many jokingly bracketed them as Abahani's B team in the Premier League last season.

They also did not form a strong team this year, especially compared to Abahani who boast the most impressive side on paper among the 12 teams.

Abahani have already won all five games this season. Mohammedan won three out of five games to occupy the crowded second spot. Abahani are the overwhelming favourites to win the game. Mohammedan have their captain Shamsur Rahman, who hit a century when they beat Abahani by eight wickets in 2014-15 season. And the onus will certainly be on Mohammedan to turn the mere contest back into a rivalry.