Tamim, Shakib lead batting, bowling
SPORTS REPORTER
While the overseas players like Kumar Sangakkara, Marlon Samuels. Nuwan Kulasekara drew the attention most, playing defining innings or delivering spectacular spells in the third edition of Bangladesh Premier League (BPL), the local players didnt fare badly.
At the end of the first phase of Dhaka of the cash-rich tournament, Tamim Iqbal and Shakib Al Hasan found them on top of batting and bowling chart. It was no wonder indeed, given the duos recent form. But top 10 of batting was dominated by the overseas players. In bowling chart, contrast scenario was seen as the local bowlers are in abundance in top 10 bowling chart. Bangladesh bowlers, who were considered as the teams weakest link just no so many days ago, had recently won many matches for the side. This was aptly translated into the BPL also. Despite some quality overseas bowlers, the local bowlers strengthened their position with supreme command.
Chittagong Vikings Tamim Iqbal topped the batting list, scoring 154 runs at a respectable strike rate of 132. He hit two half-centuries which came in his first two matches. As the next phase of BPL would be held in his home ground Chittagong, Tamim has the ample opportunity to make his position stronger.
Comilla Victorians Marlon Samuels is in the second place with 142, hitting just one fifty while Dhaka Dynamites captain Kumar Sangakkara followed him with 134 and he also made one fifty with the highest of 75, till now the highest individual score of this BPL. No batsman is yet to reach triple figure mark.
Sylhet Super Stars could have been in losing-streak but their opener Dilshan Munaweera is in fourth with 133 runs while Rangpur Riders Mohammad Mithun was the fifth in the list, having scored 121.
Apart from Tamim and Mithun, only Chittagongs Yasir Ali and Sylhets Mushfiqur Rahim found their place in the top 10 amongst the local players.
But Mushfiqur Rahim became the highest scorer of BPL during his 23 runs in the losing-cause against Dhaka Dynamites on Friday. Australian Brad Hodge was the highest run-getter with 756 runs after playing first two editions of BPL for Barisal Burners. Hodge was supposed to play in this season also for Mushfiqurs team Sylhet but he couldnt come for his family reasons.
Mushfiqur however overtook him and took his runs tally to 772, after playing 26 matches in BPL. Hodge played 22 matches to score 756.
Rangpur Riders captain Shakib Al Hasan still remains the highest wicket-taker, taking his tally to 10 wickets in four matches, and is only the player in this tournament as of now, to be adjudged man of the match for the consecutive time. But he hogged the headline for wrong reason again after he was suspended for one match and fined for Tk. 20,000 for his abusive language to opponents player and umpire during his match against Sylhet Super Stars.
Sylhet Super Stars pace bowler Mohammad Shahid took eight wickets to be found him in second place. Dhaka Dynamites pacer Mustafizur Rahman also snapped up eight wickets but Shahid has better average and economy rate than Mustafizur. Comilla Victorians Nuwan Kulasekara made his immense impact in just two matches in which he claimed seven wicket but his economy rate of just over two, proved his magnificent start in the tournament. Mosharraf Hossain Rubel and Abul Hasan Raju, the Dynamites left arm spinner and pacer, Rangpur Riders Thisara Perera also took seven wickets each.
