Defending champions Fortune Barishal will take on the newcomers Durbar Rajshahi, whereas 2017-champion Rangpur Riders will face another new franchise, Dhaka Capitals, on the opening day of the 11th edition of the Bangladesh Premier League at the Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium today.聽
The first match will start at 1:30pm while the second at 7:00pm with T-Sports and GTV televising the matches live.
Star-studded Barishal boasts a strong squad, featuring Tamim Iqbal, Mahmudullah, Mushfiqur Rahim, and national team captain Najmul Hossain Shanto.聽
They will be backed by Pakistan star pacer Shaheen Shah Afridi and other foreign recruits as they aim to defend their title they won beating now-defunct Cumilla Victorians last season.聽
Skipper Tamim believes that their squad is undoubtedly among the top two on paper. However, he admitted the challenge of having foreign cricketers, as the league鈥檚 schedule clashes with the Big Bash, ILT20, and SA20.
鈥楾he challenge will be that the [foreign] players will come and go after seven to eight matches. This will be the same for all the teams. Whoever can make up that gap well will be ahead,鈥� said Barishal captain Tamim.
Meanwhile, Rajshahi will have to overcome some hurdles if they want to make an impact. But their Pakistan head coach and former batter, Ijaz Ahmed, was confident.
鈥楾his is T20 cricket. Some good innings or good bowling spells will win you matches. One single player will get you over the line. Our team is young and good,鈥� Ijaz told reporters on Sunday.
On paper, the main competitor for Barishal to go all the way will be Rangpur Riders, who have recently won the inaugural Global Super League in Guyana earlier this month.聽
For Rangpur captain Nurul Hasan, the aim is simple鈥攖o regain the title. The wicketkeeper-batter said, 鈥楽ee, Rangpur always build the team well. The fans of Rangpur have expectations. We play with that responsibility to become champions.鈥櫬�
Nurul believes his side will be boosted from their recent triumph in Guyana.聽
鈥極f course that will create a special vibe within the team. But we have to remember that this is a different tournament; we have to begin from scratch again,鈥� said Nurul.聽
Their Dhaka counterparts have decided that Sri Lankan all-rounder Thisara Perera would lead them in the tournament.聽
Perera, who seemed surprised after getting the leadership, said that these are nothing new in franchise cricket.
鈥楥aptaincy is just another level; we all learn the craft as a player,鈥� said Perera.聽
Khulna Tigers, however, were yet to announce their captain while writing this piece.聽
The Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium鈥攐ne of the three venues鈥攚as in a festive mode ahead of the BPL. Though there were incidents of fans鈥� protests in front of the Gate-1 on Sunday after failing to secure match tickets.
In the first leg, Mirpur will host eight matches till January 3. Then BPL will move to Sylhet, where 12 matches will be played from January 6, 2025, to January 13.聽
Chattogram will also host 12 matches from January 16 to January 25.聽
BPL will most certainly miss two of its brightest stars, Shakib Al Hasan and Mashrafe Bin Mortaza, who were also the lawmakers of the ousted Awami League government.
Their respective teams, Chittagong and Sylhet, however, have stated that they would wait for them.聽