The arrival of some of the world’s famous cricketers in Dhaka for the third Bangladesh Premier League is the perfect tonic for a competitive tournament. The start and a successful ending of this tournament is not only important for the Bangladesh Cricket Board and its players, but to several international cricketers too who have set their eyes to use the BPL as the platform to revive their careers.
The Pakistani cricketers were banned from participating in the last edition (BPL 2) following a conflict between the boards of the two country, but that ban no longer exists. “BOOM BOOM” Shahid Afridi in the twilight years of his career still has the ability to steal the spotlight any day and he will be playing for the Sylhet Super Stars.
But undoubtedly all eyes will be on Mohammad Amir, who after serving a five-year ban for spot-fixing, is making a comeback to international arena through this tournament. The 23-year-old is excited and equally pumped up to revive his career as he earlier told Dhaka Tribune.
“The opportunity is very big for me to be honest. I am making a comeback through an international league and through a well-organised league. I will try my best to use this opportunity and perform for my franchise Chittagong Vikings,” he said.
The Vikings have also recruited off-spinner Saeed Ajmal who is also looking to make a statement to his home cricket board at the age of 38. Ajmal, who was the face of the Pakistan spin in the past few years, was not handed a place in the Pakistan World Cup squad earlier this year despite his suspected bowling action being cleared in time.
The fact that the other foreign cricketers have stepped in Dhaka and are looking forward to a good time are reflected well on their social media accounts. West Indian Darren Sammy posed in a picture saying “@rangpurriders here I come. #BPL #dhaka #t20” while Australian Brad Hodge simply posted “Looking forward to a good fight for the title at BPL for Sylhet Superstars!!!”
Sri Lankan legend Kumar Sangakkara, the Dhaka Dynamites signing, is not a first-timer in Bangladesh and his tweet on Thursday explained how habituated he is in this country - “In Dhaka for the BPL. Looking forward to some great cricket. No traffic so must be a holiday.” Little did he know that the city observed strike on that day.
“Excited to be heading over to the @OfficialBPL tomorrow in Bangladesh,Some great players taking part.I’m sure it will be entertaining. #t20” tweeted former Zimbabwe captain Brendan Taylor.
However, it was English all-rounder Ravi Bopara who enjoyed the most of the “Desi Flavour” upon arriving In Dhaka. On Wednesday he tweeted, “On my way to play for the Sylhet Superstars in the BPL. Cant wait!!” and it can safely be assumed that he is loving his trip already as he on Friday posted a video of him being driven from the Dhaka airport to his hotel from the “wrong-way.”
The BPL is a genuine platform that will keep the flow of Bangladesh cricket moving in the right direction, and the next one month promises a lot to this cricket crazy nation.