Staff Correspondent
Local batters and bowlers were the standout performers in the 12th edition of the Bangladesh Premier League, which ended on Friday with Rajshahi Warriors clinching the title after defeating Chattogram Royals in the final.
Seven of the top 10 bowlers were Bangladeshi in the wicket-takers list, where four are from Chattogram Royals alone.
Chattogram Royals’ pacer Shoriful Islam stood out above all with his exceptional performance, as he finished with 26 wickets in 12 matches, which is also the most by any bowler in a single BPL edition.
Shoriful, who played a key role in Chattogram’s run to the final, averaged 10.07 runs per wicket, maintained an outstanding economy rate of 5.84, and struck in every 10.34 balls.
His career-best 5-9 against Noakhali Express stood out as the second-best figure in the tournament, after Nasum Ahmed’s 5-7.
Shoriful took 2-33 in the final and was adjudged Player of the Tournament, which was also the first time by a bowler.
‘I feel good, but if we had become champions, I believe it would have felt much better. Every player aspires to lift the championship trophy,’ said Shoriful, who remained humble about his individual success following the final.
‘So, in that sense, we wanted to. But they [Rajshahi] perhaps played better cricket than us in the final. So, they are definitely deserving winners.’
Shoriful exceeded Taskin Ahmed, who claimed 25 wickets in the previous edition.
‘I might have been the bowler awarded Player of the Tournament this year, but perhaps next year it will be someone else. I’ve noticed that in the last few matches, bowlers have been putting up a strong fight, similar to what Taskin Bhai did last year. In the future, I believe we will see even more bowlers dominating the competition.’
Nasum picked up 18 wickets in 12 matches for Sylhet Titans and sits in the second spot. He attained an economy rate of 5.97, one of the best in the tournament.
Sri Lankan pacer Binura Fernando, the sole overseas bowler in the top five, along with Ripon Mondol, played a vital role in Rajshahi’s title success.
Fernando claimed 18 wickets in 11 matches, while Ripon impressed with 17 wickets in just 8 matches, including a hat-trick.
Noakhali Express pacer Hasan Mahmud finished with 16 wickets in 10 matches. He finished with the same number of wickets as Rangpur Riders’ Mustafizur Rahman.
Chattogram Royals’ bowling depth was evident as Mahedi Hasan, Aamer Jamal, and Tanvir Islam all featured among the top wicket-takers.
Meanwhile, the batting chart was largely dominated by local players as well.
Sylhet Titans’ Parvez Hossain Emon became the top scorer as he scored 395 runs in 12 matches at an average of 39.50 and a strike rate of 132.99.
Followed by Towhid Hridoy of Rangpur Riders, who finished second with 382 runs in 11 matches and a strike rate of 137.90, including a century.
Rajshahi opener Tanzid Tamim finished third on the list with 356 runs in 13 matches; he struck a magnificent century in the final. Najmul Hossain Shanto followed with 355 runs from the same number of matches.
Only one overseas player, Dawid Malan, who played for Rangpur Riders, scored 300 runs in 9 matches and finished in fifth position.
