The first two rounds of the Bangladesh Cricket League 2015 season were productive for both the batsmen and the bowlers. While nine centuries and 15 fifties were scored, the bowlers also did their job, registering four five-wicket hauls.
All these records and figures however, barely got any attention given the lack of interest among the supporters towards the first-class competitions in the country. That Bangladesh were outperforming Pakistan in the recently concluded bilateral home series also contributed to the absence of enthusiasm in the BCL.
The third and final round of the franchise-based four-day tournament though is expected to attract some sort of attention, considering that most of the national cricketers will be involved. The premier four-day competition might be a good platform for the Bangladesh cricketers to hone their skills ahead of the lone Test match against India next month but few changes are expected from the squad that faced Pakistan in the two five-dayers. Chief selector Faruk Ahmed informed that it is close to impossible to judge a player through a single match so major changes in the squad for the India Test are highly unlikely.
Three key Bangladesh cricketers will be missing when the final round gets underway today; maverick all-rounder Shakib al Hasan (rest), swashbuckling opener Tamim Iqbal and diminutive wicketkeeper-batsman Mushfiqur Rahim (both nursing injuries). With the India series looming in the horizon, the team management decided not to risk the trio in the BCL.
Among the two last-round matches, the tie between Islami Bank East Zone and Prime South Zone at Zahur Ahmed Chowdhury Stadium in Chittagong will have some significance. With 19 points each, East and South will go head-to-head for the title while the other match between BCB North Zone (3 points) and Walton Central Zone (3 points) will be a mere formality.
