The Bangladesh Premier League Twenty20 is all set to put on an electrifying third season. The grand opening concert of the tournament was held yesterday and all eyes will now shift to the first two matches on the opening day tomorrow.
While Tamim Iqbal-led Chittagong Vikings will take on Shakib al Hasan’s Rangpur Riders in the afternoon game, Nasir Hossain’s Dhaka Dynamites will lock horns with Comilla Victorians, captained by Mashrafe bin Mortaza.
And ahead of their opening clash tomorrow, Chittagong skipper Tamim informed that their local players will very much be the key to the success of the team with the foreigners providing support, rather than the other way round.
“I think we are a decent side but at the end of the day all the teams will need to perform in the field for success. More than half of our foreign cricketers will reach Dhaka [yesterday]. We will have team meeting and sort out the responsibilities. So far everything has been in place. What I think is that the local players will be the key while the foreigners are there to support. Our team’s success will depend on the performance of our local cricketers,” Tamim told the media at Mirpur’s Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium yesterday.
Tamim, who averages only 20.68 in T20Is and 26.39 in domestic T20s, added that the BPL will serve as good preparation for the Bangladesh cricketers ahead of marquee events like the 2016 ICC World T20 and Asia Cup T20, also slated for next year.
“I think this will be an important tournament for me and also for our team (Bangladesh). You will have to work out how you want to play T20 cricket. Bangladesh very much deserve to play this format but what we need to have is the right mindset. We have the Asia Cup T20 and World T20, so BPL will be a very good platform to learn the game,” added Tamim.
Former South Africa cricketer Mickey Arthur on the other hand said he has found massive changes in Bangladesh since his last visit to the country in 2008. Arthur, who was named the head coach of the Dynamites, stated his surprise with the local talent on show.
“There’s just more and more young players. The net bowlers have been outstanding. Bangladesh expect to win at home, and that’s a good starting point,” said Mickey.