Friday, December 6, 2024

BPL T20: The low-down

The much talked-about Bangladesh Premier League (BPL) T20 will roll into action today. Hopefully all the negative talk surrounding the BCB’s new venture will be swept under the carpet, at least for a while, as the action begins in earnest with the match between Barisal Burners and Sylhet Royals which starts from 2pm at the Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium in Mirpur. Chittagong Kings take on Duronto Rajshahi at 6.30pm at the same venue in the other match of the opening day. As a cricket-crazy public looks forward to nineteen days of high-octane cricket, the buzz among the cricket fans will revolve around the strengths and weaknesses of the six franchises. Here is our take:
BARISAL BURNERS
Barisal have always been the underachieving team in domestic cricket but they could surprise many as the team think-tank bought the players with an eye to making a balanced side alongside icon player Shahriar Nafees; picking seven batsmen and two wicketkeeper-batsmen in in-form Mohammad Mithun and Phil Mustard. The seasoned T20 campaigner Brad Hodge will have the task of holding things together alongside the likes of Mominul Haque and Farhad Hossain but Barisal will definitely bank on dashing West Indies batsman Chris Gayle to draw early blood in the tournament.
There are proven performers Yasir Arafat and Shane Harwood in the pace bowling department while the spin attack sports a local look — Sohrawardi Shuvo, Sohag Gazi and Nazmul Islam.
Barisal have made some smart choices when it came to picking local players like Mithun, who is in the form of his life in domestic cricket. With a balanced outfit, it is now time to dispel their long-standing reputation as underachievers.
CHITTAGONG KINGS
The big-spending franchise made a smart move when they handed over the team to coach Khaled Mahmud, who is highly respected in the domestic circuit for his cricketing nous.
The former Bangladesh captain has already proved his worth, shaping a team fit to deliver success on Bangladeshi wickets that offer low bounce and limited spin.
The focus will definitely be on dashing icon cricketer Tamim Iqbal who is expected to tear into oppositions with his likely partner Nasir Jamshed while the team will also expect some valuable contribution from Shoaib Malik. They also have in-form batsmen like Jahurul Islam and a solid middle-order with big-hitters Ziaur Rahman and Shamsur Rahman.
And one can’t forget the names of Dwayne Bravo and skipper Mahmudullah Riyad, Muttiah Muralidaran, Enamul Haque and Jerome Taylor, who will be the attacking options. It is expected that Arafat Sunny and Sanjamul Haque will be capable of pulling their weights whenever picked.
DHAKA GLADIATORS
There is little to say when a batting line-up boasts players like Kieron Pollard, Imran Nazir, Mohammad Ashraful and Aftab Ahmed and the expected presence of Shahid Afridi in the tournament’s latter stages can only increase the heart rates of the opposition bowlers.
Ashraful and Aftab might not have justified their talents yet but they are perhaps the cleanest hitters of cricket balls in the country while the lively Nazir can destroy any attack on his day. Pollard and Afridi need no introduction.
If the big stars fail then they have Nazimuddin, Darren Stevens and Alexei Kervezee in their arsenal to bear the responsibilities.
The bowling attack looks like a strong unit with Rana Naved Ul Hasan leading the way while skipper Mashrafe Bin Mortaza has already showed that he is getting back his rhythm gradually to answer his low-price in the auction. The experienced Pakistan all-rounder Azhar Mahmood is also there, adding quality to the line-up.
In the spin department Elias Sunny and Mosharraf Hossain are more than capable of keeping things quiet, while they also have smart choices behind the stumps with Dhiman Ghosh and young Anamul Haque in the wicketkeeping position.
DURONTO RAJSHAHI
They are considered favourites not only because of their achievements on the domestic scene but also because of their strategy to put together the best brains in the team think-tank.
They have a solid batting order on paper as they have their captain and icon player Mushfiqur Rahim and West Indies Marlon Samuels who could be a key player in the tournament. The likes of Junaed Siddiqui, Asif Ahmed and the Canadian Rizwan Cheema will strengthen the line-up while Pakistani Qaiser Abbas is also a dependable left-hander in the middle-order.
The veteran but still energetic Pakistani Abdul Razzaq and Sean Ervine is expected to play a key role while Fawad Alam and Rajshahi’s very own Sabbir Rahman could be called into action in critical times. Imran Tahir and Saqlain Sajib will be the lead spinners.
KHULNA ROYAL BENGALS
Cynics say money may talk this time for Shakib Al Hasan. There are whispers that the world’s number one all-rounder is not as serious in domestic cricket as he is in the international circuit. And if that is the case then Khulna can expect something big in the tournament.
And Shakib picked up some important names for the shortest version of the game when he called the shots in the auction. Among the foreign brigade, the underrated West Indian Andre Russell, England basher Jos Buttler, Irishman Niall O’Brien and Herschelle Gibbs will be crucial. Among the locals, Nasir Hossain, the highest paid local cricketer, has the ability to justify his price.
There has been talk about the inclusion of aged players in the side but the presence of veteran Sanath Jayasuriya and the cool-headed Shivnarine Chanderpaul can give them some added advantage as well as be educational for the younger talent.
Fidel Edwards will lead the bowling attack with Shafiul Islam while the spin attack will be handled by Shakib and Abdur Razzak. And with a good fielding unit Khulna Royal Bengals is one of the teams to watch in the tournament.
SYLHET ROYALS
Although there is a dearth of batsmen of international quality, many still regard them as the most glamorous franchise in the competition.
The batting burden will fall on the shoulders of the in-form Imrul Kayes, Shuvogoto Hom and icon Alok Kapali and they will be desperately looking forward to support from Pakistan discards Kamran Akmal and Faisal Iqbal. Despite Kapali being there, all-rounder Peter Trego has been named captain of the team and the Englishman will need to make contributions with the bat as the Royals have enough bowlers to call upon.
Coach Stuart Law has weapons like Sohail Tanvir in the bowling department as well as Rubel Hossain, Gary Keedy, Brad Hogg the rejuvenated Australian chinaman bowler — and promising leg-spinner Noor Hossain Munna in the mix.
The little-known Freddie Klokker and locals Naeem Islam, Faisal Hossain, Nadif Chowdhury and Arafat Salahuddin will lend the team the desired balance with a sound support staff and former selectors in charge.

-With The Daily Star input

Related News

Tigresses clinch their biggest ever win in WODIs

Sports Desk : dhakamirror.com Bangladesh women’s team recorded their biggest win by runs in the one-day format when they outplayed Ireland by 154 runs in the first WODI of the three-match series at the Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium in Dhaka on Wednesday. Batting first, Bangladesh posted 252-4, their highest-ever total in ODIs, where Sharmin scored ... Read more

Taskin shines but the Tigers defeated

Sports Desk : dhakamirror.com Bowlers, led by pacer Taskin Ahmed, gave Bangladesh an unlikely chance in the first Test at the Sir Vivian Richards Stadium in Antigua, but the batters were blown away by the West Indies as the Tigers suffered yet another huge defeat on Tuesday. Bangladesh were skittled for 132 runs by the ... Read more

Ivory Coast all out for just 7 runs, lowest ever score in men’s T20I

Sports Desk : dhakamirror.com Ivory Coast scored only seven runs in a men’s T20 international against Nigeria in Lagos. Nigeria set a high target of 271 runs, led by Selim Salau’s impressive 112 runs off 53 balls. Ivory Coast struggled to respond, losing by 264 runs at the Tafawa Balewa Oval. Six players from Ivory ... Read more

13 years old Vaibhav Suryavanshi becomes youngest player ever signed in IPL history

Sports Desk : dhakamirror.com A 13-year-old Indian boy has made history by being the youngest player sold in the Indian Premier League (IPL) auction. Vaibhav Suryavanshi was bought by the Rajasthan Royals for 11 million rupees, about €125,000 or $130,000. He will be trained by former Indian cricketer Rahul Dravid and will play alongside several ... Read more

India wins first Test crushing Australia

Sports Desk : dhakamirror.com India achieved an impressive 295-run victory against Australia in the first Test in Perth, showcasing their strong performance in the series. They dismissed Australia for 238 during the last session of day four, taking a 1-0 lead in the five-match series. Australia started their innings at 12-3 after a powerful bowling ... Read more

BCB announces U-19 team for Asia Cup

Sports Desk : dhakamirror.com The Bangladesh Cricket Board on Thursday announced the squad for the ACC Under-19 Men’s Asia Cup, which will be held in the UAE from November 29 to December 8. Azizul Hakim Tamim will be leading the side that will depart for the UAE on November 24. Ahead of the event, the ... Read more

Tigers start tour to West Indies with first Test match today

Sports Desk : dhakamirror.com Bangladesh begins their tour of the West Indies today with the first Test match of the two-match Test series at Sir Vivian Richards Stadium in Antigua. Fans can watch the live broadcast on T Sports starting at 8:00 pm Bangladesh time. Bangladesh come into the series on the back of consecutive ... Read more

West Indies announce team for Bangladesh Tests

Sports Desk : dhakamirror.com Cricket West Indies (CWI) unveiled the West Indies Test squad for the highly anticipated two-match series against Bangladesh starting November 22. Led by Kraigg Brathwaite, the Windies squad features an exciting mix of seasoned, in-form players and fresh talent. Justin Greaves is performing well and has excelled in the domestic white-ball ... Read more

Imrul says goodbye to red-ball cricket

Sports Desk : dhakamirror.com Former Bangladesh opener Imrul Kayes has declared his retirement from Test cricket as well as first class cricket. He shared the news In a video message posted on social media on Wednesday afternoon. Having made his debut in 2008 in ODIs, Imrul was quickly drafted into Bangladesh Test team and represented ... Read more

BPL season 11 to start on Dec 30

Sports Desk : dhakamirror.com The Bangladesh Premier League’s 11th edition will begin on December 30. The first match will have the reigning champions Fortune Barishal going up against the new team Durbar Rajshahi, at the Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium. The final is scheduled to be played on February 7, 2025, in Mirpur, as the BCB revealed ... Read more

Noman Ali named ICC Players of the Month for October 2024

Sports Desk : dhakamirror.com The International Cricket Council (ICC) announced Pakistan spinner Noman Ali as the ICC Men’s Player of the Month for October 2024. The player won following a vote conducted among global fans registered at icc-cricket.com and a specialist panel comprising ICC Hall of Famers, former international players, and media representatives, a statement ... Read more

Bangladesh loses series to Afghanistan once more

Sports Desk : dhakamirror.com Bangladesh lost the three-match ODI series to Afghanistan after a five-wicket defeat in the series deciding final game at Sharjah Cricket Stadium on Monday. Opener Rahmanullah Gurbaz struck a scintillating century and Azamatullah Omarzai put up a stellar all-round performance to sink Bangladesh and help Afghanistan win its second straight bilateral ... Read more

Salahuddin appointed senior assistant coach of Bangladesh

Sports Desk : dhakamirror.com The Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) has appointed Mohammad Salahuddin as the senior assistant coach of the Bangladesh men’s cricket team. Salahuddin’s contract will be on the role until March 15, 2025, BCB press release confirmed on Tuesday. Salah Uddin has experience with the national setup, as he was the Assistant and ... Read more

Bangladesh women to play three ODIs, T20Is against Ireland

Sports Desk : dhakamirror.com The Bangladesh women’s cricket team will play three ODIs and as many T20Is against Ireland in a home series, starting November 27 at the Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium. The Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) announced the itinerary for the series on Sunday. The visitors, who will arrive on November 22, will play ... Read more

Olly Stone dashes home from Pakistan tour to get married

Sports Desk : dhakamirror.com Olly Stone is set to fly back to England from the Pakistan tour on Wednesday for his wedding, making his participation in the second Test unlikely. With the match scheduled just days after his wedding, Stone’s return in time to be considered for selection is uncertain. Though the exact date of ... Read more

Mahmudullah to retire from T20Is after India series

Sports Desk : dhakamirror.com Veteran all-rounder Mahmudullah has announced that he will retire from the T20 Internationals after the ongoing series against India. The 39-year all-rounder made this announcement at a press conference prior to the second T20I against India in Delhi on Tuesday. Mahmudullah has played 139 T20Is for Tigers which is the highest ... Read more

Mahmudullah Riyad set to retire from T20I cricket

Sports Desk : dhakamirror.com Bangladesh have played 177 T20Is and Mahmudullah Riyad has been part of 140 of them. The veteran cricketer is now expected to announce a decision to bring the curtain down on his T20I career. Riyad is set to make an announcement, which could even be due in today’s pre-match press conference ... Read more

Sanath Jayasuriya named full-time head coach of Sri Lankan cricket team

Sports Desk : dhakamirror.com Sanath Jayasuriya has officially been named the head coach of the Sri Lanka national cricket team, stepping up from his interim role that he held since June. His appointment comes in the wake of Chris Silverwood’s resignation following Sri Lanka’s disappointing performance in the recent T20 World Cup. At 55 years ... Read more

Tigresses batting struggle lead to defeat against England in women’s T20 World Cup

Sports Desk : dhakamirror.com Bangladesh Women’s team suffered a 21-run defeat against England Women in the sixth match of ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2024 at Sharjah Cricket Stadium in Sharjah on Saturday. Earlier, Nigar Sultana Joty’s Tigresses ended their 16-match losing streak in the mega event after taking down debutants Scotland. Against Heather Knight’s ... Read more

Nahida Akter becomes first Bangladesh woman to take 100 wickets in WT20Is

Sports Desk : dhakamirror.com Nahida Akter has become the first Bangladesh woman to take 100 wickets in Twenty20 Internationals, as her side secured a 16-run victory over Scotland in their ICC Women’s T20 World Cup opener in Sharjah today. The left-arm spinner, who took the final wicket of the match, reached the milestone in her ... Read more