BPL
BPL Football: Bashundhara Kings again take sole lead of table
Coming from behind, last two times champions Bashundhara Kings again took solo lead in the 12-team Bangladesh Premier League (BPL) Football beating Rahmatganj MFS by 3-2 goals in a keenly contest match at their home venue --Bashundhara Sports Complex --on Tuesday
Earlier on Thursday, the King's made the debut memorial at their newly constructed home ground, Bashundhara Sports Complex, the country's first privately- owned football ground, to take solo lead in the league outplaying Police FC by 3-0 goals.
With day's feat, Bashubdhara Kings, which were deprived of the season's first two trophies--independence Cup and Federation Cup, smartly stay in the ongiong league race securing 12 points from five matches, depite losing the opening match to newcomer Swadhinata KS 0-1
Six times champions Dhaka Abahani Ltd followed them neck and neck with unbeaten run securing 10 points from four matches, playing one match less than the King's while Rahmstganj remained at 11th slot with one point from five matches.
In the day's match, Nigerian striker Sunday Chizoba, an well known figure in Dhaka league, put the old Dhaka outfit Rahmatganj ahead in the 28th minute, silenching big budgeted Kings fans (1-0).
But the Brazilian striker cum Kings captain Robson Robinho leveled margin in the 32nd minute with the relieve of their" all red " fans (1-1)
Medio Mohammad Ibrahim put the King's ahead from behind scoring the 2nd goal in the 44th minute, off a Robinho long pass (2-1),
But their leading was very short lived as Rahmatganj striker Sunday Chizoba neutralised the margin again from a penalty in the stoppage of the first half (45+2 minute) to lock the first half (2-2).
Sunday Chizoba of Rahmatganj came close to make a hattrck but he spoiled the chance depriving his team from a goal.
Finally, defender Yeasin Arafat saved the King's from danger scoring the natch-winner in the 76th minute by a good header, off a corner kick of captain Robson Robonho (3-2).
Two traditional rivals Dhaka Abahani Ltd and Dhaka Mohammedan SC will play each other on Wednesday at Sylhet District Stadium.
Pressure helps me do well, says Narine after winning BPL final
Sunil Narine, the player of the final of the Bangabandhu Bangladesh Premier League (BPL), said the pressure of the final helped him do well.
Narine scored 58 with the bat and scalped two wickets while bowling. In the 18th over, he conceded only two runs and bagged one wicket which helped Comilla to put more pressure on Fortune Barishal batters in the last two overs.
“The wicket assisted a bit, and the pressure of the game helped a bit,” Narine told the broadcaster after the match. “Good effort from the guys, they deserve it. It was too close for comfort, but the spectators got what they wanted, and in the end, cricket is the winner. Looking forward to coming back next time.”
Narine scored 159 runs with two fifties in eight matches and bagged four wickets in eight innings.
In the final, Comilla posted 151 while batting first for nine in 20 overs. In reply, Barishal fell short of one run despite an outstanding 26-ball fifty by Shykat Ali.
It was the third BPL title for Comilla. They are now the joined most successful BPL team along with Dhaka-based franchises. With this win, Imrul Kayes became the most successful captain of BPL after Mashrafe Bin Mortaza to win more than one title.
Shakib faces row over Covid protocol breach
Bangladesh's star all-rounder Shakib Al Hasan has stoked a fresh controversy for breaching Covid-19 protocols on the eve of the Bangabandhu Bangladesh Premier League (BPL) finals.
A day before Friday's finals at Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium, the skipper of BPL team Fortune Barishal was snapped shooting for a TV commercial directed by ad guru Amitabh Reza Chowdhury.
Earlier on Thursday, he skipped the team's practice match against Comilla Victorians. Sabbir Khan, the manager of Barishal, had attributed his absence to “stomach ache”.
Also read: BPL 2022 final: Can Shakib guide Barishal to maiden title
UNB received some images of Shakib shooting for the commercial wearing a yellow polo shirt. Hours later, Shakib also posted a teaser on his social media handle wearing the same shirt.
4th round of BPL Football begins Thursday at new venue
The home and away basis 4th round of the Bangladesh Premier League (BPL) Football 2021-22 begins Thursday (Feb 17) at a new city venue --Bashundhara Sports Complex (Bashundhara Kings Arena).
Last two times champions Bashundhara Kings will start the campaign in their newly constructed home venue --Bashundhara Sports Complex-taking on Bangladesh Police FC in the opening 4th round match, kicks off at 3: pm.
In the day's other match, Joints league leader and last time runners-up Sheikh Jamal Dhanmondi Club will meet Rahmatganj Muslim Friends Society at the Sylhet District Stadium , also at 3 pm.
The first three rounds of the BPL football was held at two venues adjacent to the capital---Shaheed Ahsanullah Master Stadium in Tongi and Bir Shreshtha FL Lt Motiur Rahman Stadium in Munshiganj- due to increasing trend of Covid- 19 pandemic in the country.
READ: BPL Football: Mohammedan SC play 1-1 draw with Ctg Abahani
But,the league committee in it's last meeting have decided to arrange BPL in old format of home away basis in six venues across the country, sparing the Shaheed Ahsanullah Master Stadium in Tongi for Archery.
Apart from Bashundhara Sports Complex and Sylhet District Stadium, four other venues are: Bir Shreshtha FL Lt Motiur Rahman Stadium in Munshiganj, Gopalganj Sheikh Fazlul Haque Moni Stadium, Cumilla Shaheed Dhirendranath Dutta Stadium and Rajshahi Muktijoddha Smriti Stadium.
After the first three round matches, six times champions Dhaka Abahani Ltd and three times champions Sheikh Jamal DC dominated the league table, with an unbeaten record collecting seven points each from straight three league matches.
READ: BPL Football: Dorielton's hattrick guides Dhaka Abahani to share top slot
The joint leaders are followed by holders Bashundhara Kings and Saif SC with six points each, Dhaka Mohammedan SC and Chittagong Abahani Ltd with five points each.
Tamim finds commentary an ‘interesting’ job
Bangladesh ODI captain Tamim Iqbal was seen in the commentary box for the first time during the Bangabandhu Bangladesh Premier League (BPL) Eliminator match between Khulna Tigers and Chattogram Challengers on Monday.
Tamim has a great speaker in him that he revealed during the early days of the pandemic when he hosted some big cricketing names on his social media handle including Virat Kohli, Faf du Plessis and Kane Williamson.
But Tamim in the commentary box is a completely new sight for Bangladesh’s cricket fans. Many expressed their excitement on social media seeing Tamim in the commentary box. Tamim himself also expressed his excitement while talking to the media.
Also read: BPL 2022: Tamim’s fifty in vain as Chattogram keep dream alive
“I came to the BCB today for a meeting,” he said during a short visit to the press box.
“I was asked to join the commentary team during the Pakistan series at home. I tried it today. It was really interesting. I may give it (taking commentary as a profession) a thought in future.”
Tamim got Athar Ali Khan, the former Bangladesh cricketer and long-time commentator, in the box and shared his experience.
Also read: Tamim's ton overshadows Lindle's first BPL century
Tamim represented Minister Group Dhaka in the ongoing BPL. He scored more than 400 runs with a stunning and match-winning hundred in Chattogram.
BPL 2022: Khulna storm into the play-off beating Victorians
To qualify for the play-off phase, the Khulna Tigers had only one way open— to beat Comilla Victorians in their last league match, and they did in style riding on the outstanding batting efforts of Andre Fletcher and Mahedi Hasan on Saturday in Mirpur.
With this win, Khulna marched to the play-off of the Bangabandhu Bangladesh Premier League as the fourth team after Fortune Barishal, Comilla, and Chattogram Challengers.
And Khulna’s win ensured that Minister Group Dhaka is now eliminated from the race of the last four with nine points.
Victorians set a target of 183, and Khulna chased it down with nine wickets in hand— their joint-biggest win in this season of BPL.
In the opening stand, Fletcher and Maheid added 182 runs. With just one run needed to win, Mahedi was removed by Moeen Ali. Soumya Sarkar came in at three and scored the winning run.
Fletcher remained unbeaten for 101 off 62 balls with six fours and six sixes while Mahedi scored 74 off 49 balls with six fours and four sixes.
Read: Mustafizur goes to Delhi Capital, Shakib remains unsold
Earlier, Victorians batted first and posted challenging 182 runs for five wickets in 20 overs. Faf du Plessis, who had been struggling for a while, hit a ton. He ended up on 101 for 54 with 12 fours and three sixes.
Apart from him, Mahmudul Hasan Joy and Mahidul Islam Ankon scored 31 and 20 runs respectively.
For Khulna, Naveen-ul-Haq, Mahedi and Farhad Reza bag one wicket each.
Chattogram will take on Khulna in the Eliminator match on February 14 while on the same day, Fortune Barishal and Comilla Victorians will play each other in the first Qualifier.
The winner of the Eliminator and loser of the first Qualifier will play each other in the second Qualifier on February 16. And the winners of the two Qualifiers will lock horns in the final of this year’s BPL on February 18. All of these matches will be played at the Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium.
BPL Football: Saif SC share top slot outplaying Rahmatganj 3-1
Saif Sporting Club shared the top slot in the 12-team Bangladesh Premier League (BPL) Football outplaying Rahmatganj MFS by 3-1 goal in their 2nd match at the Bir Shreshtha Matiur Rahman Stadium in Munshiganj on Wednesday.
With the day's feat, Saif SC maintained their all-win record in the league and shared the top slot with Sheikh Jamal DC securing full six points from two matches while Rahmatganj MFS yet to open the account, also playing two encounters.
READ: BPL Football: Bashundhara Kings taste first win beating Uttar Baridhara 1-0
The winners clearly dominated the first half by 2-0 goal.
Local striker Foysal Ahmed Fahim opened the floodgate for Saif SC in the 16th minute (1-0) while Nigerian forward Emeka Ogbugh doubled the margin in the 40th minute (2-0).
Meraz Hossain confirmed the convincing victory for Saif SC scoring the 3rd goal in the 67th minute (3-0).
Taking the relax mood advantage of Saif SC, Nigerian striker Sunday Chizoba, an well known figure in the Dhaka League, scored a consolation for the old Dhaka outfit Rahmatganj MFS in the 71st minute (3-1).
In the day's other match between Sheikh Russel KC and Chittagong Abahani Limited ended in one-all draw at the Shaheed Ahsanullah Master Stadium in Tongi.
Forward Mohammad Jewel put Sheikh Russel KC ahead in the 20th minute (1-0) while Nigerian booter Peter Ebimoboeei Thankgot leveled the margin for the port city team Abahani in the 33rd minute (1-1).
BPL Football: Dhaka Abahani lose points drawing with Police; Sk Jamal go top beating Muktijoddha
Six-time champions Dhaka Abahani Ltd miserably dropped points in their 2nd match of the Bangladesh Premier League (BPL) Football, as they drew 1-1 with newcomers Police FC at the Shaheed Ahsanullah Master Stadium in Tongi on Tuesday.
In fact, it could have been worse for the traditional giants as Brazilian midfielder Denilson Rodrigues Roldão put Police FC ahead in the 77th minute, stunning this season's Independent Cup and Federation Cup champions.
But they were saved the blushes by their own Brazilian striker Dorielton Gomes, who also scored the match-winner against Muktijoddha in the previous match. Today he rescued Dhaka Abahani from an awful situation by scoring the equaliser in stoppage time (90+3 minute).
READ: AFCON Championship 2021: Senegal defeat Egypt to win Africa Cup of Nations
In the day' s other match, former champions Sheikh Jamal Dhanmondi Club maintained their 100% record after two matches, which was enough to put them top of the league on their own, having secured a full six points from two matches as they outplayed Muktijoddha Sangsad KC 3-0 at the Bir Shreshtha Matiur Rahman Stadium in Munshiganj.
Gambian striker Solomon King scored the first for Sheikh Jamal DC in the 20th minute, before Nigerian attacking midfielder Matthew Chinedu added two more goals in the 37th and 55th minutes.
BPL 2022: Favourites to Win Player of the Series Award
The eighth season of the Bangladesh Premier League has reached the crucial stage of the competition as the third phase came to an end on Friday (February 4). Dropping points might be expensive for the teams from here. Therefore, players have to be more consistent for their respective sides in the remaining two phases. Season 8 of the BPL has already seen some amazing performances and more outstanding individual displays are expected in the coming matches. Let's take a look at the early favorites for the BPL 2022 player of the series award.
The Front-Runners for the BPL Season 8 Best Player Award
Here is a list of the finest BPL 2022 performers thus far to see who may win the player of the series award. Let's take a closer look at the top performers on this list.
Will Jacks (Chattogram Challengers)
Performance in BPL 2022: M: 8 | Runs: 280 | HS: 69 | SR: 158.19 | 50s: 3 | Catches: 5
Chattogram Challengers English recruit Will Jacks has been one of the BPL's most consistent performances this season. Currently, he has the highest runs (280) in eight matches with a strike rate of above 150. Jacks has a chance to win the player of the series award if Chattogram make the playoffs.
Read 2022 ICC U19 World Cup: Bangladesh Cricket Team’s Performance Analysis
Tamim Iqbal (Minister Dhaka)
Performance in BPL 2022: M: 6 | Runs: 262 | HS: 111* | SR: 135.75 | 100s: 1 | Catches: 4
Dhaka's opener, Tamim Iqbal has been in superb form in this season's BPL. He has scored 262 runs with a strike rate of 135.75. Tamim scored a match-winning hundred against Sylhet Sunrisers in phase 2. Tamim might win the award for the first time if he continues to perform well as a batter till the end.
Mustafizur Rahman (Comilla Victorians)
Performance in BPL 2022: M: 6 | Wickets: 11 | BBI: 5/27 | Econ: 6.62 | 5W: 1
The left-arm pacer Mustafizur Rahman presently has the most wickets in the competition. He has taken 11 wickets in just six matches with Comilla Victorians. Comilla have a good chance of winning the BPL this season, and Mustafizur can win the best player award.
Read BPL 2022 Playoffs Scenarios: How Can Each Team Qualify?
Shakib Al Hasan (Fortune Barishal)
Performance in BPL 2022: M: 6 | Runs: 137 | HS: 50 | SR: 133.00 | 50s: 1 | Wickets: 10 | BBI: 3/23 | Econ: 4.76
The captain of Fortune Barishal, Shakib Al Hasan hasn't been in the best of form this season. Despite this, Shakib has been one of the tournament's leading wicket-takers, with 137 runs in six matches. Shakib Al Hasan is considered one of the early favorites to win the Player of the Series award.
Andre Fletcher (Khulna Tigers)
Performance in BPL 2022: M: 6 | Runs: 206 | HS: 71* | SR: 132.90 | 50s: 2
Andre Fletcher has been one of the Khulna Tigers' best players of the season. With 206 runs in six matches, he is presently the third-highest run-scorer in BPL Season 8. Fletcher has done an excellent job, but his prospects of winning the best player award are entirely dependent on the performance of the Khulna Tigers in the tournament.
Read BPL 2022 Phase 3 Preview: What You Need to Know
Mahmudullah Riyad (Minister Dhaka)
Performance in BPL 2022: M: 6 | Runs: 194 | HS: 70* | SR: 139.56 | 50s: 1 | Wickets: 2 | BBI: 1/12 | Econ: 8.00 | Catches: 3
The captain of Minister Dhaka Mahmudullah Riyad has performed well with the bat. Riyad has a strike rate of 139.56 and has scored 194 runs in six matches. He is one of his team's main players and will be crucial for Dhaka in the tournament's later stages. Mahmudullah can win his second player of the series honor If Dhaka win the season 8 championship match.
Kamrul Islam Rabbi (Khulna Tigers)
Performance in BPL 2022: M: 6 | Wickets: 11 | BBI: 3/45 | Econ: 9.85
Right-arm pacer Kamrul Islam Rabbi is one of the leading wicket-takers in the BPL this season. Rabbi's bowling has helped Khulna win matches, and he is one of the early front-runners for the best player of the series award. However, Khulna must appear in the BPL 2022 championship match in order for him to receive the honor.
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Other Notable Candidates
Apart from the players mentioned above, Mohammad Shazad of Minister Dhaka, Andre Russell of Minister Dhaka, Chris Gayle of Fortune Barishal, DJ Bravo of Fortune Barishal, Mehidy Hasan Miraz of Chattogram Challengers, Mujeeb Ur Rahman of Fortune Barishal, and a number of other top players from each franchise have the chance to improve their individual performances in the tournament's final two phases. Therefore, these players might be strong contenders for the BPL 2022 player of the series award.
Bottom Line
Winning the player of the series honor is always a significant accomplishment for a player. Because it is a reward for a player's on-field performance. Ace all-rounder, Shakib Al Hasan has won the BPL tournament's player of the series award three times. The other Bangladeshi player to win the season's best player award is Mahmudullah Riyad. Besides, Ashar Zaidi of England, Chris Gayle of Jamaica, and Andre Russell of Jamaica have all received the prestigious award once in the history of the BPL competition. There hasn't been a clear winner yet, but a number of contenders are fighting for the award this season. Overall, the player who can have the most influence in leading his side to the playoffs and finals has the best chance of winning the BPL 2022 player of the series honor.
Read BPL 2022: Competition among six teams gets heated up in Phase 2
Afghanistan’s Shahzad found to breach players’ code in BPL
Afghan opener Mohammad Shahzad, who is playing for Minister Group Dhaka in the ongoing Bangabandhu Bangladesh Premier League (BPL), is found to have breached the players’ code on Friday.
He was found to smoke an e-cigarette in the field when his team was waiting for the weather’s permission to play their Friday’s match against Comilla Victorians.
When the rain stopped Shahzad, along with other players, came out of the dressing room to see the field and brought an e-cigarette and started smoking in the field— which is a clear violation of the players’ conduct in BPL.
Dhaka’s opener Tamim Iqbal and coaching staff member Mizanur Rahman were seen to restrain Shahzad from smoking but the wicketkeeper batter was seen to be reluctant. But in the end, he refrained from smoking.
Read: BPL: Rain plays spoilsport in Mirpur game
According to the players’ code of conduct, no player is allowed to carry any substance that is used for smoking.
“This sort of incident is a clear violation of the players’ code of conduct,” said Rakibul Hasan, the chief match referee of the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) and the convenor of the technical committee of BPL.
He said smoking is strictly prohibited in the cricket field and not acceptable in any way.
Shahzad was unavailable for a comment on the incident.
Meanwhile, the first match of the day which was set to be played between Sylhet Sunrisers and Fortune Barishal was abandoned due to bad weather.
The second match, scheduled to start at 6:30 pm, is due to begin at around 8 pm.