BPL
BPL 2022 Phase 1: Noteworthy Performance of Players in Different Categories
No batter has yet to hit a century in the ongoing Bangladesh Premier League 2022. Just three half-centuries were scored in the first phase. On the other hand, no bowler has yet to take a fifer in an innings. Three bowlers have claimed four wickets in an innings so far in this tournament. Minister Dhaka's captain Mahmudullah Riyad has led the most runs scorers list with 124 runs, while SylhetSunrisers spinner Nazmul Islam has taken the most wickets with seven. Let's have a look at the top performers at the end of BPL 2022 phase 1.
Top Performers of BPL 2022 Phase 1
The majority of the players have yet to show their full potential. Players are anticipated to improve their performance as the tournament progresses. Let's take a look at the top performers from the first phase.
Read BPL 2022 Points Table Phase 1: Comilla Victorians Propel to Top
Most Runs (Mahmudullah Riyad)
Minister Dhaka played four matches in phase one. Two players of this team took place among the top three run-scorers. With 124 runs in four innings, Mahmudullah Riyad is the leading run-scorer.
Top 3 Most Runs
Player
Innings
Runs
Mahmudullah (Minister Dhaka)
4
124
BAC Howell (Chattogram Challengers)
3
112
Tamim Iqbal (Minister Dhaka)
4
105
Source: https://www.espncricinfo.com/
Most Wickets (Nazmul Islam)
SylhetSunrisers left-arm spinner Nazmul Islam has been superb with the ball. He has taken 7 wickets in only two innings with an astounding 6.8 strike rate.
Read ICC Awards Winners 2021: Meet the Players
Top 3 Most Wickets
Player
Innings
Wickets
Nazmul Islam (SylhetSunrisers)
2
7
MehidyHasanMiraz (Chattogram Challengers)
3
6
Shoriful Islam (Chattogram Challengers)
3
6
Source: https://www.espncricinfo.com/
High Scores: (RonyTalukdar)
The best score in the BPL 2022 is currently 61 runs by Khulna Tigers batter RonyTalukdar against Minister Dhaka.
Read Shakib Reaches 400 T20 Wickets Milestone in BPL 2022: Stats Breakdown
Top 3 High Scores
Player
Runs
Opposition
RonyTalukdar (Khulna Tigers)
61
Minister Dhaka
Tamim Iqbal (Minister Dhaka)
52
Chattogram Challengers
Tamim Iqbal (Minister Dhaka)
50
Khulna Tigers
Source: https://www.espncricinfo.com/
Best Bowling Figures (MehidyHasanMiraz)
With 4/16 against Fortune Barishal, MehidyHasanMiraz of Chattogram Challengers had the best bowling figures in the first phase of BPL season 8.
Read Bangladesh Women’s Team Misses Out to Qualify for Commonwealth Games Cricket Tournament 2022
Top 3 Best Bowling Figures
Player
BBI
Opposition
MehidyHasanMiraz (Chattogram Challengers)
4/16
Fortune Barishal
Nazmul Islam (SylhetSunrisers)
4/18
Minister Dhaka
Shoriful Islam (Chattogram Challengers)
4/34
Minister Dhaka
Source: https://www.espncricinfo.com/
Most Dismissals: (Kennar Lewis)
Chattogram Challengers' Kennar Lewis had the most dismissals (5) in the first phase of the 2022 Bangladesh Premier League.
Read Super League Quarter-Finalists of ICC U19 World Cup 2022: Bangladesh to Face India
Top 3 Most Dismissals
Player
Innings
Dismissals
Kennar Lewis (Chattogram Challengers)
3
5
Mohammad Shahzad (Minister Dhaka)
4
5
Mahidul Islam Ankon (Comilla Victorians)
2
4
Source: https://www.espncricinfo.com/
Most Catches (ImrulKayes)
ImrulKayes of Comilla Victorians has taken the most catches (4) so far in the BPL 2022 tournament.
Read SA seal ODI series with thumping victory against IND in 2nd match
Top 3 Most Catches
Player
Innings
Catches
ImrulKayes (Comilla Victorians)
2
4
Karim Jannat (Comilla Victorians)
2
3
Naveen-ul-Haq (Khulna Tigers)
2
3
Source: https://www.espncricinfo.com/
Most Sixes (Benny Howell)
Benny Howell of the Chattogram Challengers has hit the most sixes (7) in the BPL 2022 season so far.
Read It’s great to get recognised, says Shakib after being in ICC ODI team of year
Top 3 Most Sixes
Player
Innings
6s
Benny Howell (Chattogram Challengers)
3
7
Will Jacks (Chattogram Challengers)
3
5
Mahmudullah Riyad (Minister Dhaka)
4
4
Source: https://www.espncricinfo.com/
Bottom Line
Season 8 of the franchise-based Bangladesh Premier League has witnessed the emergence of several exciting new players. These players are expected to make a difference for their respective teams in the coming phases of the tournament. There were not many damaging batting performances in this phase because bowlers dominated most of the BPL 2022 phase 1 fixtures. Among the bowlers, spinners were the most successful in the first phase. Hopefully, the batters will be able to exhibit their true potential in the second phase in Chattogram.
Read BPL 2022: Meet the Six Captains
BPL 2022 Points Table Phase 1: Comilla Victorians Propel to Top
Comilla Victorians finished first in the BPL 2022 points table after the first phase in Dhaka. Comilla comfortably defeated Fortune Barishal by 63 runs on Tuesday to remain the tournament's only unbeaten team. Eight matches were held in Dhaka, with each side playing at least two matches in the first phase. Minster Dhaka played the most four matches, and they were the most disappointing team in this phase. Let's take a look at the BPL 8 points standings as it stands now.
The Present scenario of BPL 2022 Points Table
Chattogram Challengers and Fortune Barishal played the inaugural match of the BPL 2022 on Friday (January 21). Shakib Al Hasan-led Barishal won the match by four wickets. Comilla Victorians defeated Fortune Barishal by 63 runs in the first phase's final fixture.
Read Shakib Reaches 400 T20 Wickets Milestone in BPL 2022: Stats Breakdown
BPL 2022 points table at the completion of the first phase
Position
Teams
Match
Win
Loss
Points
NRR
1
Comilla Victorians
2
2
0
4
+1.820
2
Chattogram Challengers
3
2
1
4
+0.740
3
Fortune Barishal
3
1
2
2
+0.229
4
Khulna Tigers
2
1
1
2
-0.325
5
Sylhet Sunrisers
2
1
1
2
-0.573
6
Minister Dhaka
4
1
3
2
-1.217
Source: https://www.espncricinfo.com/
The first phase was crucial for each side to get a good start in the tournament. Let's take a glance at how the teams fared in phase 1, which was held in Dhaka.
Comilla Victorians
Comilla Victorians, one of the tournament favorites, struggled to overcome Sylhet Sunrisers in their first match of the season. While chasing a modest total of 96 runs, Comilla lost 8 wickets and reached the target in 18.4 overs. However, they made a strong comeback against Barishal in the second match and deservedly took the top spot in the points table.
Read BPL 2022: Meet the Six Captains
Chattogram Challengers
Chattogram are a youthful team, but they have demonstrated good battling spirit in the face of the toughest opponents. The Challengers made a tremendous comeback after losing their first match of the season to the Fortune Barishal. They defeated Dhaka by 30 runs, then Khulna by 25 runs. Chattogram climbed to second place in the points table with back-to-back victories.
Fortune Barishal
The Barishal team beat Chattogram as predicted in their first encounter of the season, but fell short against Dhaka and Comilla. They lost by four wickets to Dhaka and then by 63 runs against Comilla. Fortune Barishal are currently in the third position in the standings.
Read BPL 2022: Most Impactful Foreign Players from Six Teams
Khulna Tigers
Khulna played two matches in the first phase. They won one game but lost the other. Khulna began their season with a five-wicket victory against Dhaka but then lost by 25 runs to Chattogram in their next match. Khulna are presently in the fourth position in the standings.
Sylhet Sunrisers
Like Khulna, the Sylhet team competed in two matches in phase 1. They were defeated by Comilla by two wickets in a closely-contested match. However, Sylhet upset Dhaka by 7 wickets in the next match, securing fifth place in the points standings.
Read BPL 2022 Live Streaming: Where to Watch the Most Anticipated Domestic Cricket Matches?
Minister Dhaka
The host Dhaka had a tough time in phase 1. They played four matches, losing three of them. Their only win came against Barishal, whom they defeated by four wickets. Aside from that, Dhaka lost by 5 wickets against Khulna, Chattogram by 30 runs, and Sylhet by 7 wickets. As a result, Minister Dhaka are now at the bottom of the points table.
Bottom Line
Comilla Victorians are the most well-balanced team in the tournament, as seen by their on-field performance. Comilla may be able to earn a playoff berth with some league matches remaining, as it appears thus far. Chattogram Challengers have displayed good performances among the other teams, and they have the potential to surprise everyone in the upcoming phases. Besides, Sylhet and Khulna have made a good start, while Barishal and Dhaka haven't exploited their full potential in the first phase. Significant changes in the BPL 2022 points table may occur during the Chattogram phase. The second phase will begin on Friday (January 28).
Read BPL 2022: The Favourites, Outsiders and Underdogs
BPL 2022: Mashrafe picks up 2 wickets but Dhaka suffers 3rd defeat
Masrhafe Bin Mortaza, the former Bangladesh captain, made a comeback to competitive cricket after more than a year, but his return was not an occasion of joy for him as his team Minister Group Dhaka lost the match by seven wickets to Sylhet Sunrisers on Tuesday.
It was the third defeat for Dhaka in the ongoing Bangabandhu Bangladesh Premier League (BPL) in four matches they have played so far. Sylhet Sunrisers, on the other hand, played two matches and they now have a win and a defeat.
Sylhet won the toss and sent Dhaka to bat first who failed to start it well as they lost early wickets. Tamim Iqbal failed to impress as he returned only three runs while the other opener Mohammad Shahzad only posted five runs.
Mohammad Naim came at number three and played 30 balls to score only 15 runs. Captain Mahmudullah Riyad was the highest scorer for them scoring 33.
Dhaka tumbled only for 100 for all wickets in 18.4 overs.
Read: Shakib Reaches 400 T20 Wickets Milestone in BPL 2022: Stats Breakdown
For Sylhet, left-arm spinner Nazmul Islam bagged four wickets conceding 18 runs in four overs while Taskin Ahmed scalped three wickets and Sohag Gazi toon two.
In reply, Anamul Haque Bijoy scored 45 off 45 balls with four fours and one six to guide Sylhet to their maiden win. Colin Ingram remained unbeaten for 21 for them. They ended up on 101 for three in 17 overs.
Mashrafe took two wickets for Dhaka conceding 21 runs in four overs. It was Masrafe’s first match in more than 400 days. Before this match, he played a competitive cricket match back in 2020.
Nazmul won the player of the match award for his four-wicket haul.
These two teams will take on each other in their next match on January 28 at the Zahur Ahmed Chowdhury Stadium in Chattogram.
Shakib completes 400 wickets in T20s
Bangladesh all-rounder Shakib Al Hasan completed a remarkable feat of taking 400 wickets in Twenty20 cricket on Monday while playing for Fortune Barishal in the ongoing Bangabandhu Bangladesh Premier League (BPL).
Shakib is only the fifth cricketer in history to take 400 or more wickets in the T20s. Dwyane Bravo, Imran Tahir, Sunil Narine and Rashid Khan are the other bowlers to reach the same milestone.
It was Mahmudullah Riyad, the captain of Minister Group Dhaka, who fell prey to Shakib as his 400th wicket with a catch to Dwayne Bravo— who is the holder of the record of taking most wickets in the format with more than 550 wickets to his name.
Also read: It’s great to get recognised, says Shakib after being in ICC ODI team of year
Coming into his 353rd T20s, Shakib completed this remarkable feat with four five-wicket and 10 four-wicket hauls.
Shakib’s best in the format is taking six wickets only conceding six runs in the Caribbean Premier League. Shakib also has 215 wickets in Tests and 277 wickets in ODIs.
Also read: It’s wrong that we have no player sans big guns: Shakib
BPL 2022: Mahmudullah, Russell help Dhaka to register maiden win
Minister Group Dhaka finally won a match in the ongoing Bangabandhu Bangladesh Premier League (BPL) on Monday beating Fortune Barishal by four wickets at Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium.
Mahmudullah Riyad and Andre Russell led the way to their maiden victory coming into the third match.
In the first two matches, Dhaka lost to Khulna Tigers and Chattogram Challengers by five wickets and 30 runs respectively.
On Monday, Shakib Al Hasan-led Barishal batted first and put up 129 on the board losing eight wickets in 20 overs.
Chris Gayle, the West Indian T20 giant, who was playing his first match in this season of BPL, scored the highest 36 for them while Dwayne Bravo posted 33.
For Dhaka, Russell and Isuru Udana bagged two wickets each.
In reply to a moderate total, Dhaka suffered a heavy batting collapse at the start of their innings.
BPL8: Chattogram outplay Dhaka to register first win
Chattogram Challengers outplayed Minister Group Dhaka by 30 runs in the ongoing Bangabandhu Bangladesh Premier League (BPL) on Saturday at Dhaka.
Chattogram set a target of 162 for Dhaka who failed to chase down it and tumbled to 131 all out in 19.5 overs.
Tamim Iqbal, the ODI captain of Bangladesh and opener of Dhaka, hit a fifty once again in a sluggish manner, but that was not enough for Dhaka to set a good foundation for the chase.
Dhaka lost only one wicket in the first 10 overs, but they failed to keep up with the required rate. Tamim was firm at one end of the wicket, but his teammates came and went.
After Tamim’s dismissal in the 12th over, Dhaka lost four wickets for just 10 runs and they never recovered from that collapse.
Left-arm pacer Shoriful Islam bagged four wickets for Chattogram while Nasum Ahmed scalped three conceding only 9 runs in four overs.
Earlier, Mahmudullah Riyad-led Dhaka won the toss and sent the Challengers to bat first.
Read: Challengers pose a strong challenge for Dhaka
Despite losing opening partner Kennar Lewis early, the dangerous Will Jacks’24-ball 41 (six 4s and two 6s) helped the Challengers to get a fast start.
Afif Hossain failed to impress once again as he posted 12 off 12 this time. But Sabbir Rahman, who had been out of the limelight for a long time, posted 29 off 17 balls with two big sixes and two fours.
Captain Mehidy posted 25, and Howell scored 37 off 19 balls with three sixes and one four.
For Dhaka, right-arm veteran pacer Rubel Hossain was the best bowler taking three wickets conceding 26 runs in four overs while Arafat Sunny, Isuru Udana, Shuavagata Hom and Mahmudullah took one wicket each.
Dhaka are now bottom of the 6-team table early on. In their maiden appearance, Dhaka failed to defend 183 against Khulna Tigers. Challengers had lost their first match to Fortune Barishal.
Dhaka will take on Fortune Barishal on January 24 in their next match while Chattogram will play against Khulna Tigers on the same day.
Challengers pose a strong challenge for Dhaka
Riding on some good batting displays from Will Jacks, Sabbir Rahman and Benny Howell, Chattogram Challengers posed a strong challenge to Minister Group Dhaka posting 161 for eight on Saturday in Dhaka.
Mahmudullah Riyad-led Dhaka won the toss and sent the Challengers to bat first.
Despite losing the opener Kennar Lewis early, Will Jacks’24-ball 41 helped the Challengers to set a good foundation. He smashed six fours and two sixes.
Afif Hossain failed to impress once again as he posted 12 off 12 this time. But Sabbir Rahman, who had been out of the limelight for a long time, posted 29 off 17 balls with two big sixes and two fours.
Read: CWG Cricket Qualifiers: Bangladesh to play Scotland Sunday
Captain Mehidy posted 25, and Howell scored 37 off 19 balls with three sixes and one four.
BPL8: Khulna overcome stiff target with relative ease thanks to batters
Rony Talukdar hit a fluent half century while Andre Russell, Thisara Perera made vital contributions as the Khulna Tigers beat Minister Group Dhaka in the second match of the opening day of this year's Bangladesh Premier League.
The first match of BPL's 8th edition - also named after Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman for his centennial - between Chattogram and Barishal was a low-scoring affair, but the second match saw lots of big hitting and a target in excess of 180 runs chased down with an over to spare.
Khulna won the toss and sent Dhaka to bat first, who posted a challenging total of 183 runs. In reply, Khulna chased down the target in 19 overs and sealed the match with five wickets in hand.
Mushfiqur Rahim-led Khulna failed to have a good start while chasing as they lost Tanzid Hasan Tamim only for two runs. But in the second-wicket stand, Andre Fletcher and Rony Talukdar added 72 runs on the board which has helped the Khulna Tigers to set a good foundation.
Fletcher fell for 45, and Rony ended up top-scoring with 61 off 42 balls with seven fours and one six. After the departure of Fletcher and Rony, Mushfiqur and Yasir Ali failed to continue their momentum, but Sri Lankan allrounder Thisara Perera smashed 36 off 18 balls with six fours, and it was his knock that buried Dhaka's chances.
Read: BPL 2022: Barishal off to flying start beating Chattogram
For Dhaka, Andre Russell and Ebadot Hossain bagged two wickets each.
Earlier, Tamim Iqbal and Mohammad Shahzad put up a 69-run opening stand that helped Dhaka post a big total. Shahzad was trapped in a run-out while Tamim registered the maiden fifty of BPL 2022.
Captain of Dhaka, Mahmudullah Riyad, was also tremendous with the bat. He scored 39 off 20 balls with two fours and three sixes.
For Khulna, right-arm pacer Kamrul Islam bagged three wickets conceding 45 runs four overs.
In their next match, Khulna will take on Chattogram Challengers on January 24 while Dhaka will play against the Challengers on January 22.
Mahmudullah eyes to have a pace-bowling all-rounder in BPL
Bangladesh T20 captain Mahmudullah Riyad said he will look for a pace-bowling all-rounder and a wrist spinner for the national team during during the Bangabandhu Bangladesh Premeir League (BPL).
Mahmudullah is set to lead Minister Group Dhaka in BPL beginning on Friday in Dhaka.
Read: Bangabandhu BPL begins on Friday sans spectators
Along with Mahmudullah, Dhaka have Mashrafe Bin Mortaza and Tamim Iqbal as well. Tamim is set to play from the beginning, but Mashrafe is uncertain for the first two matches.
“We will play another World Cup this year,” Mahmudullah said referring to T20 World Cup 2022 which will be played in Australia. “We may need more pace-bowling all-rounders and wrist spinners. We will keep it in mind in BPL.”
Bangladesh failed to impress in the last edition of the T20 World Cup that took place in the UAE last year. But Mahmdullah believes the Tigers have a good chance to do well in the next World Cup in Australia.
Read: Shakib, Mushfiq, Mustafiz make way into ICC Men’s ODI team 2021
“We had expected to do well in the last World Cup. Our confidence was high after winning two consecutive series against Australia and New Zealand. But we could perform accordingly. We have a good chance to do well in the next World Cup,” Mahmudullah added.
Steve Rhodes is back in Dhaka
Former Bangladesh head coach Steve Rhodes is back in Bangladesh once again but not for any national team responsibility, rather he came to coach Bangladesh Premier League (BPL) team Comilla Victorians.
Rhodes was present in an unofficial practice session of the Victorians on Monday at the Academy Ground in Mirpur.
READ: BPL sans DRS, possibly Afghanistan series too
The former coach was seen to be greeted by the former Bangladesh captain Mashrafe Bin Mortaza, and current T20 captain Mahmudullah Riyad on Monday. Both Mashrafe and Mahmudullah will play for Dhaka in BPL.
The former England cricketer was appointed the head coach of Bangladesh in 2018 for a two-year contract. Under his coaching, Bangladesh won their maiden multi-national competition right before the World Cup 2019.
But for some unknown reasons, Rhodes was sacked after the World Cup. Bangladesh failed to perform well in that event that took place in England.
More than two years after, Rhodes’ arrival in Bangladesh came as an exciting event for many in Bangladesh’s cricketing fraternity.
However, it’s not clear what role Rhodes will play for the Victorians. But some sources from the Victorians said they will confirm Rhodes’ role later, before the BPL begins on January 21.
READ: BCB announces official schedule of BPL
Mohammad Salahuddin will continue for the Victorians as their head coach.
A total of six teams will take part in this year’s BPL along with the Victorians. The eighth edition of BPL will be played across three different venues in Dhaka, Chattogram and Sylhet.