BPL’S BEST XI
Tamim Iqbal (Chittagong Vikings)
Tamim Iqbal may not have a great tournament as the Chittagong Vikings captain but it had
little to do with his batsmanship. There was no better batsman in BPL to face the first ball of an innings than Tamim, the man who scored 298 runs in nine matches at 37.25, the second highest in the tournament. He also scored maximum three half-centuries which made him an automatic choice in the team.
Tamim Iqbal may not have a great tournament as the Chittagong Vikings captain but it hadlittle to do with his batsmanship. There was no better batsman in BPL to face the first ball of an innings than Tamim, the man who scored 298 runs in nine matches at 37.25, the second highest in the tournament. He also scored maximum three half-centuries which made him an automatic choice in the team.
Tillakaratne Dilshan (Chittagong Vikings)
In an ideal situation, Comilla Victorians’ Imrul Kayes should be opening partner of Tamim for his resolute batting. But Imrul had to make way for Tillakaratne Dilshan due to tournament rule that has made four foreigners mandatory in the starting lineup. There were not too many foreign cricketers who played regularly in the tournament. So Dilshan comes in for his 260 runs in 10 matches at 28.28.
In an ideal situation, Comilla Victorians’ Imrul Kayes should be opening partner of Tamim for his resolute batting. But Imrul had to make way for Tillakaratne Dilshan due to tournament rule that has made four foreigners mandatory in the starting lineup. There were not too many foreign cricketers who played regularly in the tournament. So Dilshan comes in for his 260 runs in 10 matches at 28.28.
Jahirul Islam (Rangpur Riders)
In a tournament where not too many cricketers were able to give a consistent show Jahirul Islam came as an exception. Unbeaten in four of his nine innings, Jahirul, with his 205 runs, showed why he was once regarded as one of the great prospects for Bangladesh. He got the nod ahead of Sabbir Rahman, who was a pal shadow of his own self throughout the tournament until finding his form in the final stage.
In a tournament where not too many cricketers were able to give a consistent show Jahirul Islam came as an exception. Unbeaten in four of his nine innings, Jahirul, with his 205 runs, showed why he was once regarded as one of the great prospects for Bangladesh. He got the nod ahead of Sabbir Rahman, who was a pal shadow of his own self throughout the tournament until finding his form in the final stage.
Kumar Sangakkara (Dhaka Dynamites)
Despite retiring from international cricket, Kumar Sangakkara showed he has still a lot of cricket in him. The highest scorer in the tournament with 349 runs from 10 matches, Sangakkara almost single-handedly dragged Dhaka Dynamites to the eliminator of the tournament. His leadership, passion for the game was an inspiration for many young cricketers who played with or against him in the tournament. Sangakkara also fulfils the role of wicketkeeper in the team.
Despite retiring from international cricket, Kumar Sangakkara showed he has still a lot of cricket in him. The highest scorer in the tournament with 349 runs from 10 matches, Sangakkara almost single-handedly dragged Dhaka Dynamites to the eliminator of the tournament. His leadership, passion for the game was an inspiration for many young cricketers who played with or against him in the tournament. Sangakkara also fulfils the role of wicketkeeper in the team.
*Mahmudullah (Barisal Bulls)
Mahmudullah loves to do his job quietly and he did the same in the BPL. Not too many articles were written about the man, who scored 221 runs at 22.10 with two half-centuries. More importantly he successfully led Barisal Bulls to the final of the tournament without creating any fuss. He therefore appeared as the ideal choice for captaining the side. Mashrafee bin Murtaza could have been in his place for his inspirational leadership but a half-fit Bangladesh captain had no definite role to play and thus has been excluded.
Mahmudullah loves to do his job quietly and he did the same in the BPL. Not too many articles were written about the man, who scored 221 runs at 22.10 with two half-centuries. More importantly he successfully led Barisal Bulls to the final of the tournament without creating any fuss. He therefore appeared as the ideal choice for captaining the side. Mashrafee bin Murtaza could have been in his place for his inspirational leadership but a half-fit Bangladesh captain had no definite role to play and thus has been excluded.
Sakib al Hasan (Rangpur Riders)
Any team of this kind is unthinkable sans Sakib al Hasan in Bangladesh.
Sakib might not have a great tournament with bat but he had his bowling to speak for him. Until he was overtaken by Abu Hider in the first qualifier, Sakib was the leading wicket-taker in the tournament with 17 scalps. He was included in the team as the only specialist spinner. His batting is just a plus point for the team.
Any team of this kind is unthinkable sans Sakib al Hasan in Bangladesh.Sakib might not have a great tournament with bat but he had his bowling to speak for him. Until he was overtaken by Abu Hider in the first qualifier, Sakib was the leading wicket-taker in the tournament with 17 scalps. He was included in the team as the only specialist spinner. His batting is just a plus point for the team.
Ashar Zaidi (Comilla Victorians)
Pakistan-origin Ashar Zaidi is a revelation for BPL-3. He was not rated very highly before the tournament. But Comilla Victorians’ lack of depth in the middle order provided him an
opportunity and he grabbed it with both hands. A great all-round performance of Zaidi is one of the reasons why Victorians reached the final despite having a mediocre team. He is almost an automatic choice in the team.
Pakistan-origin Ashar Zaidi is a revelation for BPL-3. He was not rated very highly before the tournament. But Comilla Victorians’ lack of depth in the middle order provided him anopportunity and he grabbed it with both hands. A great all-round performance of Zaidi is one of the reasons why Victorians reached the final despite having a mediocre team. He is almost an automatic choice in the team.
Kevon Cooper (Barisal Bulls)
Not too many foreign cricketers were as consistent as Barisal Bulls’ West Indian cricketer Kevon Cooper. Until the final Cooper had 20 wickets to his name from eight matches, which suggested his impact in the
team. A bowling all-rounder Cooper also has the big hitting ability that can be an asset for any side. Cooper completed the slot of four overseas cricketers in the team.
Not too many foreign cricketers were as consistent as Barisal Bulls’ West Indian cricketer Kevon Cooper. Until the final Cooper had 20 wickets to his name from eight matches, which suggested his impact in theteam. A bowling all-rounder Cooper also has the big hitting ability that can be an asset for any side. Cooper completed the slot of four overseas cricketers in the team.
Abu Hider (Comilla Victorians)
If BPL-3 has to single out one positive thing it must be Comilla Victorians’ left-arm pacer Abu Hider. Quite a revelation this year, Hider is the best find of the tournament with 21 wickets (until the final). His late in-swinger that uprooted the leg-stump of Lendl Simmons gives a testimony to his great talent. Hailed as future of Tigers, Hider is another automatic choice in this team
If BPL-3 has to single out one positive thing it must be Comilla Victorians’ left-arm pacer Abu Hider. Quite a revelation this year, Hider is the best find of the tournament with 21 wickets (until the final). His late in-swinger that uprooted the leg-stump of Lendl Simmons gives a testimony to his great talent. Hailed as future of Tigers, Hider is another automatic choice in this team
Al-Amin Hossain (Barisal Bulls)
For Al-Amin Hossain BPL-3 was a big challenge. He got back his place in the national team just before the tournament with the Zimbabwe series. Though Al-Amin did reasonably well his place in the team is no longer guaranteed. With Rubel Hossain and Taskin Ahmed returning to their fitness Al-Amin had to do something
special to stay in contention. He did that with 17 wickets (until the final) and a hat-trick.
For Al-Amin Hossain BPL-3 was a big challenge. He got back his place in the national team just before the tournament with the Zimbabwe series. Though Al-Amin did reasonably well his place in the team is no longer guaranteed. With Rubel Hossain and Taskin Ahmed returning to their fitness Al-Amin had to do somethingspecial to stay in contention. He did that with 17 wickets (until the final) and a hat-trick.
Mustafizur Rahman (Dhaka Dynamites)
The latest sensation of Bangladesh cricket, Mustafiz performed constantly well in his first BPL. A total of 14
wickets in 10 matches may not look anything great, but it cannot completely explain his bowling.
His one delivery that bowled Twenty20 superstar Chris Gayle can explain him better. His variation, deceiving off-cutters made him the go-to bowler always. Mustafiz completes our lineup.
The latest sensation of Bangladesh cricket, Mustafiz performed constantly well in his first BPL. A total of 14wickets in 10 matches may not look anything great, but it cannot completely explain his bowling.
His one delivery that bowled Twenty20 superstar Chris Gayle can explain him better. His variation, deceiving off-cutters made him the go-to bowler always. Mustafiz completes our lineup.
- Source: New Age BD
