Locals excited by BPL’s allures
The Bangladesh Premier League (BPL) is special cause for celebration for local players, especially in the midst of the pandemic, as the arrival of international stars not only provides greater challenge and inspiration, but also an opportunity to gather knowledge of T20s, a format Bangladesh are desperate to improve upon.
The Omicron variant of Covid-19 is still at large, making things difficult for the organisers but the players have so far relished the opportunity to train, mingle with each other and learn from foreign coaches.
The tournament will bring fresh challenges for national team stars as well, with a few coming head to head in the opening day's fixtures today. Shakib Al Hasan's Fortune Barishal will face Mehedi Hasan Miraz's Chattogram Challengers at 1:30pm before Mushfiqur Rahim's Khulna Tigers take on Mahmudullah Riyad's Minster Group Dhaka in the evening affair.
Mushfiqur was dropped from the Bangladesh T20 lineup following the World Cup debacle in UAE.
"This is a big opportunity, especially for the locals. We have a World Cup coming up. Although the Covid situation is not good, we are getting the opportunity to play in a good environment. I'm not worried about a comeback or thinking of the national side. Right now, I am focused on the BPL. I'm still the highest run-getter in the BPL. Holding on to that place will be a different challenge," Mushfiqur told reporters yesterday after a practice session in Mirpur.
Three-time champions Dhaka, who had issues with ownership before BCB took it upon itself to lead the franchise, will have Tamim Iqbal and Mashrafe Bin Mortaza to bank on. Although Mashrafe's injury issues may see him sit out today's fixture, the team will be in able hands with Mahmudullah leading a side that have Andre Russell as a genuine T20 weapon and Rubel Hossain and Oshane Thomas towing the pace battery.
Wickets will be the biggest issue heading into the tournament, with Mirpur's slow tracks often failing to rope in fans by allowing displays of power-hitting. However, Mahmudullah was not thinking about the wickets at this stage.
"We have to think that the wickets are good before we play a match. If we enter with a negative mindset, it will have a negative impact," Mahmudullah dictated.
Despite the obvious setbacks, Shakib was keen on the inspiration gained from such a tournament. The all-rounder continued his power-hitting drills yesterday, scattering a few of the journalists watching on with ranged aerial shots. The onus was on improving certain facets of his game and the BPL was a good platform although it remains to be seen whether the pitches are conducive to good T20 cricket.
Leading a strong Barishal outfit, there are expectations. "Every side has expectations and there are expectations that one has from their own self. This is inspiring for us and we want to take it positively," Shakib said.
Taskin Ahmed was seen in conversation with former Australia speedster and Chattogram's pace bowling coach Shaun Tait. The conversation evoked memories of the good that come from such tournaments, especially for locals, even in such trying times.