The Bangladesh Premier League (BPL) is entering its 2024-25 season with remarkable performances and exhilarating matches, marking a distinct shift from the past couple of years.
Kickstarting on December 30, 2024, the Dhaka phase of BPL has ignited enthusiasm among fans and players alike, showcasing high-scoring games filled with suspense and stellar performances. Over the past four days, eight matches produced over 2,648 runs, with teams averaging 331 runs per match, greatly surpassing both last year's and the 2023 season's averages.
Last year, the opening phase saw 2,378 runs scored across the same number of matches, with average runs per game falling below 300. This trend was similar for the previous seasons, highlighting the athletically charged atmosphere of this year’s league. The BPL has already witnessed two centuries, indicating the extraordinary play among local and international batters alike.
The standout performances by Bangladeshi players have been noteworthy. Critically, local batters have stepped up, particularly Mahidul Islam Ankon, who achieved an impressive strike rate of 206.81. Alongside him, players like Shamim Patwari and Mahmudullah Riyad scored at strike rates of 195.12 and 194, respectively. This shift is dramatic, considering the previous criticism aimed at local batsmen for their strike rates.
Leading the scoring chart is Anamul Haque Bijoy from Durbar Rajshahi with 146 runs, followed closely by Chittagong Kings' Usman Khan and Dhaka Capitals’ Thisara Perera, both on 141. This is remarkable as the scoring frenzy is not limited just to home players; several foreign players have also made significant contributions to the scoreboard.
Faruque Ahmed, the newly appointed president of Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) and former national captain, played a pivotal role in enhancing pitch preparation. He mandated curators to create sporting wickets with good bounce, enabling both batters to thrive and skilled bowlers to extract movement. “Actually, sometimes the instructions are very important. If three/four different instructions are provided from one place, it is difficult for the curator too,” Faruque stated, emphasizing the importance of clear directives for successful pitch setup.
Meanwhile, the bowling department has also seen brilliant efforts. Taskin Ahmed shone brightly for Durbar Rajshahi, claiming the highest wickets—a staggering 12 in just three matches, including a record-rebreaking seven wickets for only 19 runs. Following him is Khushdil Shah of Rangpur Riders with seven wickets, ensuring local bowlers are also at the forefront of this BPL season.
Despite such outstanding performances, worries loom over the other members of the national T20I squad. National opener Liton Das, fresh from leading Bangladesh to victory against the West Indies, has struggled, accumulating only 33 runs over three innings. Najmul Hossain Shanto has too been underwhelming following his return from rehabilitation, averaging just nine runs, raising eyebrows about their current form.
Habibul Bashar, head of BCB's women’s wing and former selector, shared concerns over the underperformance of key players. “I really expected our front-line cricketers like Liton, Tanzid Tamim, Towhid Hridoy and Shanto to do well and dominate,” he noted, acknowledging the excellent wickets laid out during the season.
Looking forward, the tournament is set to continue its exciting run with matches shifting to Sylhet before progressing to Chattogram. Bashar optimistically anticipates more explosive performances as local batters are expected to adjust to the conditions more efficiently, saying, “The Sylhet wicket is usually of high quality and conducive for scoring runs.”
Teams include Chittagong Kings, Dhaka Capitals, Durbar Rajshahi, Fortune Barishal, Khulna Tigers, Rangpur Riders, and Sylhet Strikers, all competing aggressively for the title this season. With previously struggling teams showing new vigor, cricket lovers are eager to see how the upcoming matches will shape the final standings.