Are Tawhid Hridoy and Mushfiqur Rahim playing in this year’s BPL?” This question might cross the minds of some fans. Those who closely follow the game won’t likely have this doubt, but even casual viewers at tea stalls on the roadside might ask this. They might hear names from others and wonder why players like Mushfiqur are mostly spectators this season, at least so far!
Looking at the top run-scorers of this year’s BPL, there’s no doubt in anyone’s mind. Do you know where Mushfiqur stands on the list? He is at 43rd place! In 7 matches, he’s played 4 innings and scored just 73 runs, with a top score of 34. Mushfiqur has also had to battle injuries.
Hridoy, who was the second-highest run-scorer in the previous season with 462 runs at a strike rate of nearly 150, has only managed 121 runs in 6 innings this year. His highest score is 48, which came in a match where his team needed 126 runs from 20 overs. He’s behind 29 other top run-scorers.
Nazmul Hossain is even worse off. The national team’s captain has only managed 56 runs in 5 matches. He was even dropped from the team at one point. Starting BPL with a duck, Nazmul’s been struggling to make double digits and is now at 47th place.
Here’s a quick look at the national team’s performance in BPL:
National team batters:
- Tanzid Hasan: 9 innings, 330 runs, SR 138.65
- Zaker Ali: 8 innings, 175 runs, SR 150.86
- Mehedi Hasan Miraz: 7 innings, 12 runs, SR 134.04
- Tawhid Hridoy: 6 innings, 121 runs, SR 131.52
- Parvez Hossain: 7 innings, 103 runs, SR 125.60
- Mahmudullah: 4 innings, 84 runs, SR 171.42
- Mushfiqur Rahim: 4 innings, 73 runs, SR 117.74
- Nazmul Hossain: 5 innings, 56 runs, SR 119.14
- Soumya Sarkar hasn’t played a single match due to injury.
As for Rishad Hossain, he’s hardly had a chance to play, appearing in just 4 out of 7 matches. In the few opportunities he’s had, he hasn’t been effective, picking up just 4 wickets.
These 4 players are all representing Fortune Barishal in the BPL. Despite their poor form, Barishal is still headed towards the playoffs, having won 5 out of their 7 matches. However, their lack of form is a cause for concern for the national team ahead of the Champions Trophy.
Though the Champions Trophy features 50-over cricket, they will have the chance to settle in before playing freely. But will they really get that chance? The games will be held in Rawalpindi and Dubai, with Dubai having hosted few major teams over the last 5 years. The average run rate in the 24 matches played there has been 4.31 per over, so the key question remains: will Bangladesh’s batsmen be able to face up against teams like New Zealand and Pakistan?
National team bowlers in BPL:
- Taskin Ahmed: 9 innings, 20 wickets, economy 6.60
- Tanzim Hasan: 6 innings, 11 wickets, economy 9.10
- Nahid Rana: 7 innings, 9 wickets, economy 8.46
- Mustafizur Rahman: 9 innings, 9 wickets, economy 8.08
- Mehedi Hasan Miraz: 7 innings, 5 wickets, economy 8.28
- Nasum Ahmed: 5 innings, 4 wickets, economy 8.33
- Rishad Hossain: 4 innings, 4 wickets, economy 7.66
The good news for Bangladesh is that opener Tanzid Hasan has been performing well, with 330 runs from 9 matches, including 2 fifties and a century. However, his fellow openers, Soumya Sarkar and Parvez Hossain, have struggled. Soumya is sidelined with injury, while Parvez, despite being given a chance, has been disappointing, scoring only 103 runs in 7 matches before being dropped from the Chattogram Kings’ playing XI.
Mahmudullah hasn’t been in great form either, scoring only 84 runs in 4 innings, with a highest score of 56 not out in one match. Mehedi Hasan Miraz and Zaker Ali have also struggled to make an impact.
While the batsmen have had their issues, the bowlers have stepped up. Taskin Ahmed is the highest wicket-taker with 20 wickets. Nahid Rana (9) and Tanzim Hasan (11) have also been impressive, while Mustafizur Rahman (9) has been steady.
With the Champions Trophy approaching, all eyes will be on how these players bounce back.
