BBPL’s last four stage begins today
The race for the Bangabandhu Bangladesh Premier League (BBPL) title begins today with Dhaka Platoon taking on Chattogramm Challengers in the eliminator match in today’s first fixture at the Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium in Mirpur.
Later in the evening, the tournament’s top two sides -- Rajshahi Kings and Khulna Tigers -- will duke it out in the first qualifier to see who goes on to the final.
The ongoing tournament is a special edition of the Bangladesh Premier League (BPL) and was renamed to mark the 100th birth centenary of the father of the nation, Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman. However, Bangladesh Cricket Board president Nazmul Hassan announced yesterday that the BPL will remain as the BBPL from now on.
Coming back to the eliminator match, Dhaka will sure miss the services of regular skipper Mashrafe Bin Mortaza. The inspirational cricketer has been sidelined by an injury he incurred while fielding against Khulna Tigers on Saturday.
The experienced Tamim Iqbal will have to pick up the slack and so, the left-hander will surely also look to play a big knock, which is yet to do in the tournament.
The likes of Mahedi Hasan and Mominul Haque are also in good touch and will aim to regroup after the final group match, where they lost to Khulna despite having posted over 200 runs.
Chattogram have also played good cricket so far with Imrul Kayes proving vital to their success while West Indian big hitter Chris Gayle can prove devastating with the bat. With the ball, Mehedi Hasan Rana and Rubel Hossain have been instrumental for the side.
In the first qualifier, table topper Rajshahi will hope to continue their dominance with Liton Das and the young Afif Hossain having provided solid starts while skipper Andre Russell, Ravi Bopara and Shoaib Malik will add loads of experience to the side.
Khulna, however, will be beaming with confidence following their magnificent record run chase against Dhaka. Najmul Hossain Shanto became the first local player to hit a century in the ongoing BBPL in that match.
Meanwhile, skipper Mushfiqur Rahim, Rilee Rosssouw and Robbie Frylinck are also in terrific touch and should offer an exciting game against Rajshahi.
The losing team of the first qualifier will get another opportunity to advance to the final when they face the winner of the eliminator game in second qualifier on January 15.
Comments