The grand finale of the 2024 Bangladesh Premier League Twenty20 will take place Friday at the home of cricket in Mirpur. Comilla Victorians will be looking to maintain the unbeaten streak in the finals, and seal a record-extending fifth title, while Fortune Barishal, playing their fourth final and second under the current ownership, will be eyeing a maiden crown. Here are the key battles which are likely to determine the fate of the 10th edition’s finale:
Inns: 14, Runs: 453, SR: 125.48
Tamim Iqbal
The Barishal captain has found runs throughout this tournament and led the side from the front with his leadership skills. This edition’s leading run-scorer has struck three fifties, most crucial of which came against Chattogram Challengers in the Eliminator. The Bangladesh opener will be desperate to put behind a tough second half of year 2023 with the national side and add the BPL trophy to his list of achievements.
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Inns: 13, Runs: 375, SR: 130.66
Liton Das
The stylish Liton has blown hot and cold for the Tigers in recent times but regained his scoring touch come BPL time. Like his counterpart, the right-handed batter also has three half centuries to his name, including the match-winning 83 against Rangpur Riders in Qualifier 1, which took the Victorians to yet another final. Him providing a brisk start will be vital if Comilla are to register a hat-trick of titles.
Inns: 13, Runs: 447, SR: 149.49
Towhid Hridoy
Following his big-money move from last season’s finalist Sylhet Strikers, the youngster has repaid the faith of the Comilla management by soaring to second place in the highest run-scorers’ list. The right-hander is one of three centurions in this edition, and also clubbed an unbeaten 91 against Khulna Tigers in the league phase. Added with his recent rise in the national side, Hridoy is having a great time of late and will be eager to finish things off in style Friday.
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Inns: 14, Runs: 367, SR: 123.56
Mushfiqur Rahim
The adage old is gold is perhaps appropriate for the veteran campaigner, who also featured for Sylhet last season. His unbeaten 47 against Rangpur in Qualifier 2 was worth its weight in gold as Barishal aced a tricky chase after losing early wickets. After reaching the final, the wicketkeeper-batsman hit back at pre-tournament claims that Barishal are an “old team” and will no doubt be targeting an inspired display with the willow in their bid to win the competition for the first time.
Inns: 5, Runs: 197, Wkts: 8
Kyle Mayers
The West Indian recruit’s all-round exploits have been key for Barishal in the playoffs. The Caribbean cricketer shone brightly in both the Eliminator and Qualifier 2, scoring valuable runs and bagging important breakthroughs. The right-arm seamer has put in probing spells with the cherry, conceding only 5.78 runs per over, while his runs have come at a healthy strike rate of 158.87.
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Inns: 4, Runs: 82, Wkts: 6
Andre Russell
Giant of an all-rounder in world cricket, the dynamo has been entertaining fans across the globe with his fireworks for a while now and shows no signs of stopping. And producing the goods when it matters, in the business stages of a competition is exactly why franchises line up for his services. An example of his monstrous hitting was the scarcely believable 12-ball 43 not out (358.33 strike rate) against Rangpur in the league stage and Barishal bowlers will need to be on their toes and hold the nerves if they are to stop the Russell show.