With a mere two points separating league leaders Mohammedan and eighth-placed Sheikh Jamal Dhanmondi Club, it goes without saying that the ongoing Dhaka Premier League (DPL) this season has started on a very competitive note.

The feature this season has been the brilliant performances of the local players. There was a time when teams used to depend on foreign players to make it big in the league, but this season has witnessed both the national players and the youngsters do well.

The players, according to Tamim Iqbal, have no complaints with regards to the quality of the cricket being played this season.

“I think this league gets as close to international cricket as possible. There is no complaint with the quality. Even the foreign players have had to work hard here. They will tell you how good the quality of the league is. I think I can compare the league to any other domestic league in the world,” Tamim told reporters following his practice session in Mirpur yesterday.

With each team allowed to field one foreign player per game, the clubs had to be very cautious in order to make their decision. And like Tamim said, many foreign players have been impressed by the standard of the league this season.

Sri Lankan left-arm spinner Chaturanga De Silva, who is playing for Victoria Sporting Club, hopes that his stint here can give him an opportunity to return to his national team. De Silva, who took two five-wicket hauls in the last two games here, has played six ODIs for Sri Lanka so far.

“The competition here is very high. People in Sri Lanka know about this league and it's a good thing that I got to play here. I need some experience for my future and that's why I am here,” said De Silva.

Zimbabwe skipper Hamilton Masakadza, who plays for Kalabgan Krira Chakra echoed De Silva's sentiments while speaking to a Bangladeshi cricket publication Cricfrenzy earlier.

“The structure of Bangladesh cricket is far better than it was before. Moreover, there is incredible competition going on in the domestic structure of Bangladesh Cricket regularly. As a result, there is the continuation of high productive talented cricketers here,” said Masakadza.