Mohammedan Sporting Club will miss several of their top cricketers in the Super League phase of the ongoing Dhaka Premier League (DPL), but are still hopeful of becoming champions.

Mohammedan roped in several top players such as Tamim Iqbal, Mushfiqur Rahim, Mahmudullah, Towhid Hridoy, Mehedi Hasan Miraz, Taskin Ahmed and Taijul Islam in this year's tournament.

However, as the Super League phase starts tomorrow, Mohammedan will be without many key players for different reasons. Even their captain Towhid Hridoy is banned for two games for an altercation with umpires during their league phase match against Abahani.

Still, their manager Sazzad Ahmed Shipon has remained optimistic of winning their first DPL title since the 2009-10 season.

"Four of our players left to represent the national team. Emon [Iqbal Hossain] went to play for the U-19 side... So, it's become difficult for us to form the playing XI," Shipon told reporters yesterday on the eve of their match against Legends of Rupganj in Mirpur.

"We started poorly but eventually covered up. The boys have the determination and target of finishing the tournament as champions," he added.

To bolster their squad amid so many absences, Mohammedan have roped in pacer Mustafizur Rahman for the Super League phase.

Meanwhile, Abahani Limited head coach Hannan Sarkar said that they were well-informed about players' unavailability due to national team series and are prepared for the Super League.

"We knew that these cricketers won't be available [for national commitment]. It wasn't a surprise issue for me. We had organised the team keeping this issue in mind and the back-up players also knew that they will get a chance during the Super League phase," he said.

Rain has been forecasted in the next couple of days and as there is no reserve day for the Super League matches, this could result in rained out games.

"We don't want to lose any point. But we don't have control over weather. If there is an opportunity to play, we will try our best to take full two points," said Hannan, whose side will take on Agrani Bank Cricket Club at the BKSP-3.

Meanwhile, in the day's other match, Gazi Group Cricketers will face Gulshan Cricket Club at the BKSP-4.