The Dhaka Premier League (DPL) gets underway today at three different venues with defending champions Abahani taking on BKSP in one of the three opening day fixtures at the Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium in Mirpur.

There has been a lot of talk about the league -- which was once the main attraction of the country's cricket calendar -- losing its charm, but Abahani coach Khaled Mahmud believed that the DPL is still important and prestigious. The former national skipper also opined that the national players can take the league as an opportunity to prepare for the ICC World Cup to be held in England from May 30.

"I think it is a very prestigious and important league of the country. Generally, the league matches take place on good batting wickets and it is expected that the World Cup will also be played on batting-friendly tracks, so it would be fantastic if the players take this chance to fine-tune before the World Cup," said Mahmud, also a Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) director.

Although it was an expected that Abahani would get the services of the inspirational Mashrafe Bin Mortaza from the second match but Mahmud said that he did not have a clear idea about Mashrafe's availability.

"Unfortunately, he is now abroad and I was also not aware about when he went; I can only say when he will be available after his return," informed Mahmud. 

Meanwhile, Sheikh Jamal Dhanmondi Club face Uttara Sporting Club at the Fatullah Cricket Stadium and Legends of Rupganj meet Brothers Union at BKSP in the other matches.