Dhaka Capitals stepped into the Bangladesh Premier League (BPL) for the very first time last season, carrying excitement, curiosity and the pressure that comes with being a new franchise. The campaign did not go the way they had hoped, as they finished sixth among seven teams with only three wins. Yet, they managed to give the fans moments they will remember for years. Their historic victory against Durbar Rajshahi on 12 January 2025 — a massive 149-run win stands as the biggest margin of victory in BPL history. In that same game, they posted the highest team total in the league, 254 for 1, powered by a record-breaking opening stand of 241 between Litton Das and Tanzid Hasan Tamim, with both openers smashing centuries.
With these flashes in mind, the Daily Times of Bangladesh spoke with Atik Fahad, the Dhaka Capitals Director and CEO to understand their plans, their reflections, and their ambitions for the upcoming season.
Although the Dhaka Capitals were a new team in the previous edition and faced their share of failures, they certainly entertained. Will that sort of entertainment be seen more in this season?
Last year, our goal was to finish first in every department, but the reality was that our off-field activities ranked first instead. This time, we want to be first on the field. Our assistant coach, Mahbub Ali Zaki, has invested a lot of time, and we tried to build a balanced squad after detailed discussions with everyone in our management.
What was the thought process behind signing Saif Hassan before the auction?
In the Asia Cup, he was one of the best performers and also one of the most admired players. We sensed that many teams would target him, so we did not want to take any risks. We made the best offer early and secured him before the auction.
What inputs can a global legend like Shoaib Akhtar bring as a mentor?
He was the fastest bowler in the world. Having someone of his stature around can inspire our pacers like Taskin, Saifuddin and the rest of the bowling group. Beyond cricketing value, he also helps from a business standpoint, since our sponsors can work with him on TVCs and OVCs.
Although Nasir Hossain and Sabbir Rahman are no longer in the national setup, Bangladesh fans still feel nostalgic watching them. What are your plans for them?
They have built reputations that created big expectations. The fans still love them, and perhaps disappointment came when they couldn’t maintain consistency. Throughout the BPL, we want to empower all our players by giving them opportunities and a comfortable environment. On auction day, I said we wanted to support Sabbir mentally until he returns to the national team. Our thoughts for Nasir are similar.
Have you already decided on your captain?
Not yet, but we have agreed that the captaincy will go to a local player.
On social media, people say Alex Hales was “hijacked” by Rangpur Riders last year. By signing him now, did Dhaka Capitals take a little revenge?
Both Alex Hales and Saif Hassan were with the Riders last year. You can call it coincidence that they are with us now, or you can call it a friendly form of revenge. Either way, they are here.
Other teams highlight tradition and culture in their logos, but Dhaka Capitals went for a modern look with tall buildings. Why?
When we began designing the logo, we first thought about portraying the classic elements of Dhaka. But then we realised that since we represent the capital, and the capital stands as the country’s highest and most prominent city, the height of the buildings would reflect that sense of elevation and modern identity.
After all the challenges over the years and the good moments as well, how do you see the BPL today?
The schedule was tight last year, and this year too a lot of time slipped away amid many complications. Everything happened at the last moment. We still haven’t solved every issue or reached a fully flexible position, so the mental pressure is high. We may not be at our absolute best this time either, but we are hopeful of taking Dhaka Capitals to a much better place than where we finished last season.
As the new season approaches, the Dhaka Capitals find themselves balancing lessons from the past with hopes for the future. The management believes that with a more settled structure, stronger planning, and renewed confidence, the Capitals can rise above last year’s frustrations and build on the extraordinary highs they produced. After all, their tagline says it best: ‘Together we rise’.
