Bangladesh Premier League is around the corner. It is high time to look at every team of BPL 2016, who are participating in this year’s edition. Let’s start with Barisal Bulls. The team was originally established in 2012 for the inaugural BPL season as the Barisal Burners. The Burners were the BPL runners-up in 2012. The Burners were one of the teams dissolved in 2013 after the BPL’s second edition. The franchise was sold to the current owners Axiom Technologies and re-branded as the Bulls for the 2015 edition. The Bulls were coached by Graham Ford and captained by Mahmudullah Riyad in BPL Season 3 2015 Bangladesh Premier League. Sri Lanka born Australian Dav Whatmore has been appointed as head coach. Bangladesh current test captain Mushfiqur Rahim will play role as captain of BPL Season 4 2016-17 Bangladesh Premier League.
Let’s find out who are their key players?
Carlos Brathwaite, Josh Cobb, Mohammad Nawaz, Dilshan Munaweera (Overseas)
Mushfiqur Rahim, Shahriar Nafees, Mehdi Hassan, Taji-ul Islam (Locals)
Starting from Big West Indies All-Rounder (Captain) Brathwaite’s last four sixes in wt20 this year will remain in the minds of millions of fans for the years now. Take a look at his notes about his career in domestic T20 matches.
Played 60 Twenty20 matches scored 512 runs with career best of 36* runs at a healthy strike rate of 153.29. As already mentioned he is a perfect all-rounder here is few stats about his bowling. In 60 Twenty20 matches, he was able to get 48 wickets at 4/23 his career best with a good average of 28.47.
Another Notable overseas for BB’s is Josh Cobb. Born August 17, 1990, Leicester, England, Played for Dhaka Gladiators (Now Dhaka Dynamites). This year he is playing for Barisal Bulls, probably will open the innings with Nafees. Take a look at his notes about his career in domestic T20 matches.
Played 115 Twenty20 matches remained 12 times not out scored 2344 with 84 best score at a healthy average of 24.16 at a fantastic pace of 133.10 Strike-Rate. Moreover he can bowl few leg breaks as well. He has 52 wickets as well in his bowling account, which is pretty good for Barisal Bulls.
Muhammad Nawaz’s dream entry to International arena and Journey is unstoppable. Started from 1st Edition of Pakistan Super league (Played for Quetta Gladiators), Later he was picked for his national team. Now he will be available for Barisal Bulls this year. 22 years old left arm all-rounder a major addition to BPL 2016-17. He represented Pakistan U-15, U-19 & U-23, makes a sense that he came from a proper cricketing channel. Played 42 Twenty20 matches so far Scored 356 runs with 42 is his highest score at an average of 17.80 with strike Rate of 102.00. He is more effective when captain through ball to his way. He took 28 T20 wickets so far and improving his figures and stats day by day.
Dilshan Munaweera another young Sri Lankan who opens with the bat. He played for various teams in Domestic T20 leagues. This year he will be available for Bulls.
Here is some notes about his career in Twenty20 Played 78 matches managed almost 1500 runs in his career 1466 with his career best of 77* at good strike rate of 122.16.
Why not to discuss local guns. I mean Bangladeshi players who are playing in this year’s BPL for Barisal Bulls. Starting from Mushfiqur Rahim, an amazing individual as well as a great leader, captained national side in all formats. Probably He will lead Barisal Bulls in this year’s edition & also keep wickets for his team. Played 112 Twenty20 matches (nearing 2000 runs) 1979 with best of 86 at nice average 25.37 and a Good Strike Rate of 122.53. As a wicket-keeper his dismissals are 67 catches and 36 stumps respectively.
Shahriar Nafees one of the most promising left handed opener of Bangladesh team. Nafees played for Barisal Burners and Khulna Royal Bengals in his previous appearances. But consecutive second year he is being their strength at top order. Bulls are expecting some solid innings from him in this year’s edition as well.
He could play only 5 games last year, in which he made 104 runs only at strike rate of 109 or so. He played 35 Twenty20 matches in which he scored 748 runs with the support of his only hundred in T20 cricket not out 102 at a healthy average of 26.71 with strike Rate of 104.32.
Mehdi Hassan is making his first appearance to Bangladesh Premier League. A young and promising batsman, who made his early headlines when he made ton on his List A debut. Barisal Bulls needs some energy in the field and He might be the man who can bring so.
Last but not the least Taji Ul Islam who is slow left arm bowler, which is great addition to the squad of Bulls. When it comes to left hand spinners Bangladesh is always very well know about those (Take names Shakib, Abdur Razzak, veteran Mohammad Rafiq & so On) and this young spinner has guts to perform. He already played for Doronto Rajshahi in early additions. He took 34 wickets so far in his 33 Twenty Matches at an economy of 6.85 which is pretty ok if you are talking about T20 Cricket, when spinners need to bowl inside power play.
On the whole they are pretty a good bunch of players, includes Shamsur Rahman, Nadif Choudhary, Al-Amin Hussain (2nd top Wicket taker for Bulls in last Edition) and Rumman Raees.
Barisal Bulls first encounter will be against Chittagong Vikings on 2nd day of BPL2016-17 edition.
HomeofT20 Playing Eleven for Barisal Bulls:
Shamsur Rahman, Dilshan Munaweera, Shahriar Nafees, Mushfiqur Rahim, Josh Cobb, Nadif Choudhary, Mohammad Nawaz, Carlos Brathwaite, Al-Amin Hussain, Taji-Ul Islam, Rumman Raees. Mehdi Hassan.
Stats Courtesy: espncricinfo on 29 October 2016.
