In a historic shift for Bangladeshi domestic football, Brothers Union has completed the sensational signing of five Pakistani international players for the second phase of the Bangladesh Premier League (BPL). This move marks the first time since the late 1970s that Pakistani footballers will grace the local top flight in such significant numbers, signals a strategic pivot in the club’s recruitment policy.
A Strategic Recruitment Drive
The decision to look toward Islamabad rather than local talent appears to be a calculated financial and tactical move. Under the current league regulations, players from SAARC nations (South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation) do not count towards the standard foreign player quota. This loophole allows clubs to field an effectively “international” side without breaching registration limits.
Amer Khan, the manager of Brothers Union, explained that the high market value of Bangladeshi national team players made domestic signings prohibitive. “We simply could not afford the local stars who are already under lucrative contracts,” Khan noted. “The Pakistani internationals offer superior value for money, and by signing a cohesive block of five players from the same national set-up, we ensure better on-field chemistry.”
The New Arrivals: International Pedigree
The five signings are not merely journeymen; they are established members of the Pakistan national squad. Leading the pack is Umer Hayat, a seasoned campaigner with 22 international caps. He is joined by Alamgir Ghazi, a midfielder with 18 appearances for the “Green Falcons.”
| Player Name | Position | National Caps |
| Umer Hayat | Defender | 22 |
| Alamgir Ghazi | Midfielder | 18 |
| Shayek Dost | Winger | 16 |
| Abdullah Shah | Defender | 7 |
| Hayan Khattak | Midfielder | 1 |
Beyond the SAARC contingent, Brothers Union has bolstered its ranks with three players from Guinea and one from Nigeria, while retaining a Senegalese defender from the first leg. Consequently, the Gopibagh-based outfit will head into the second half of the season with a staggering ten non-local players in their squad.
Historical Resonance and League Context
The arrival of these players ends a nearly 50-year hiatus of Pakistani presence in Dhaka’s football scene. Legendary coach and former Mohammadan SC player, Golam Sarwar Tipu, recalled that the likes of “Kala” Gafur, Fazl, and Ashiq last represented the Black and Whites in 1977. Since the 1980s, the league has been dominated by African and, more recently, Latin American imports.
Brothers Union is not alone in this trend. Newly promoted PWD has also secured two Pakistani signings: 21-year-old goalkeeper Usman Ali and experienced midfielder Ali Uzair Mahmood.
The second phase of the league is scheduled to commence on 12 February, following the conclusion of the national elections. The Bangladesh Football Federation (BFF) is expected to release the full fixture list shortly, at which point the new signings will arrive in the capital to begin training.
