Secrets behind Dynamites success

A team that had everything in store to be champions, Dhaka Dynamites’ success in BPL-4 was not a fluke one. They lived up to the expectation, showing an excellent team effort. When there were many stars in the team, it could easily rely on somebody to deliver the goods but Dhaka, under the shrewd guidance of Khaled Mahmud Sujon and superb captaincy of Shakib Al Hasan was inspired to play as a unit. That was the key in clinching the title and pleased the owner.

Beximco Group, the largest business conglomerate of Bangladesh took the ownership of the team two years back and put all kind of effort to make the team a champion material. They had invested a lot, ensuring some superstars of the game would play for Dhaka. They had given the players financial security, something for what the players suffered in the past seasons of the tournament. They ensured a comfortable environment for the players and gave them a freedom to express them. There was indeed hardly anything that they didn’t do. Yet Dhaka failed to clinch the title in BPL-3, being eliminated after the Eliminator game. But the chairman of the team Shayan F Rahman didn’t give up the hopes. He kept the faith on the team and again formed a formidable team which had all ingredients of being champion. This time the players didn’t disappoint him.
“The owner ensured that we would live as a happy family. It was the thing that took the pressure off us. There were some internal problems in every team if you observe clearly but in Dhaka franchise, everything is smooth,” said a Dhaka player.
But that doesn’t mean that there were no pressures at all. The big pressure was that everybody expected Dhaka Dynamites to be the champions. There was another kind of pressure that everybody believed Dhaka had blessings from the BCB because they thought some BCB high ups were somehow included in the team. Even though they were not included in the side in any capacity, the critics always needlessly point a finger to them. It was an immense pressure because they had to careful in every step. Dhaka had to fight not only on the field, they had to deal with such off field issues also. There was another problem that if they hadn't won the trophy, there would have been more questions about their ability.
Neither Shakib Al Hasan nor Khaled Mahmud Sujon talked about off field issues but said it was never an easy ride. With so many match-winners in their team, Shakib and Mahmud managed to get everyone together and become a successful unit. They had the squad for every situation and all conditions but to pick an XI was a nightmare at times.
Dhaka had Dwayne Bravo and Andre Russell together towards the end of the tournament while Evin Lewis, Kumar Sangakkara, Sekkuge Prasanna and Matt Coles provided thrusts whenever required. The local players, led by Shakib and Mehedi Maruf, gave important performances too.
Mosaddek Hossain, Sunzamul Islam and Mohammad Shahid made handy contributions while Nasir Hossain, Alauddin Babu and Abu Jayed chipped in at times. And all that came to a crescendo, making Shakib the only captain after Mashrafe Bin Mortaza to lift BPL trophy.
“We had a good team and everyone expected us to be champions right from the start, so there was a bit of pressure. But the good thing for me was that Shujon bhai was there outside the ground and things became easier for us,” Shakib said.
 “At the start of the tournament I said that there was only one target this time and that was to win the cup and it feels really happy to be successful. The best part was how the entire team played so well together. You may have many famous and big players in the team, but it is also important to perform. At times the desire to perform isn't there. And for that to come you need to create a good environment and I think we managed to do that with the help our coach and our senior players.
Shakib Al Hasan marked the joyful moment by bringing his own bundle of joy, one-year-old daughter Alaina, to the presentation ceremony however.
Mahmud said he liked to show his credential under pressure.  “When I was a player, you all used to call me a fighter. From a very young age I liked to work under pressure. I enjoy working with small teams especially and leading them to wins.
“Actually, when you make a team, everyone wants to be a champion. So, in a sense, they [the owners] didn't put that kind of a pressure on us. Yes, they discussed things with us and we heard their opinion.
“But at the end of the day, we took the decision that our team management thought was better. I am mature enough to know how to handle all of this. I handled all of these issues and I didn't let these affect my players. I kept all of this away from the players.”
“Initially I was a bit afraid since there are so many big players in our team. For instance, I didn't know how to drop Mahela Jayawardene. But to my surprise, everyone was very supportive. I was very lucky that way. Mahela was with us in the dressing room and he supported our every move,” he added.
Both Shakib and Mahmud have won their second tournament following the Dhaka Premier League this year and they both rated the BPL championship much higher than their former win.

 

Secrets behind Dynamites success

A team that had everything in store to be champions, Dhaka Dynamites success in BPL-4 was not a fluke one. They lived up to the expectation, showing an excellent team effort. When there were many stars in the team, it could easily rely on somebody to deliver the goods but Dhaka, under the shrewd guidance of Khaled Mahmud Sujon and superb captaincy of Shakib Al Hasan was inspired to play as a unit. That was the key in clinching the title and pleased the owner. Beximco Group, the largest business conglomerate of Bangladesh took the ownership of the team two years back and put all kind of effort to make the team a champion material. They had invested a lot, ensuring some superstars of the game would play for Dhaka. They had given the players financial security, something for what the players suffered in the past seasons of the tournament. They ensured a comfortable environment for the players and gave them a freedom to express them. There was indeed hardly anything that they didnt do. Yet Dhaka failed to clinch the title in BPL-3, being eliminated after the Eliminator game. But the chairman of the team Shayan F Rahman didnt give up the hopes. He kept the faith on the team and again formed a formidable team which had all ingredients of being champion. This time the players didnt disappoint him. The owner ensured that we would live as a happy family. It was the thing that took the pressure off us. There were some internal problems in every team if you observe clearly but in Dhaka franchise, everything is smooth, said a Dhaka player. But that doesnt mean that there were no pressures at all. The big pressure was that everybody expected Dhaka Dynamites to be the champions. There was another kind of pressure that everybody believed Dhaka had blessings from the BCB because they thought some BCB high ups were somehow included in the team. Even though they were not included in the side in any capacity, the critics always needlessly point a finger to them. It was an immense pressure because they had to careful in every step. Dhaka had to fight not only on the field, they had to deal with such off field issues also. There was another problem that if they hadnt won the trophy, there would have been more questions about their ability. Neither Shakib Al Hasan nor Khaled Mahmud Sujon talked about off field issues but said it was never an easy ride. With so many match-winners in their team, Shakib and Mahmud managed to get everyone together and become a successful unit. They had the squad for every situation and all conditions but to pick an XI was a nightmare at times. Dhaka had Dwayne Bravo and Andre Russell together towards the end of the tournament while Evin Lewis, Kumar Sangakkara, Sekkuge Prasanna and Matt Coles provided thrusts whenever required. The local players, led by Shakib and Mehedi Maruf, gave important performances too. Mosaddek Hossain, Sunzamul Islam and Mohammad Shahid made handy contributions while Nasir Hossain, Alauddin Babu and Abu Jayed chipped in at times. And all that came to a crescendo, making Shakib the only captain after Mashrafe Bin Mortaza to lift BPL trophy. We had a good team and everyone expected us to be champions right from the start, so there was a bit of pressure. But the good thing for me was that Shujon bhai was there outside the ground and things became easier for us, Shakib said. At the start of the tournament I said that there was only one target this time and that was to win the cup and it feels really happy to be successful. The best part was how the entire team played so well together. You may have many famous and big players in the team, but it is also important to perform. At times the desire to perform isnt there. And for that to come you need to create a good environment and I think we managed to do that with the help our coach and our senior players. Shakib Al Hasan marked the joyful moment by bringing his own bundle of joy, one-year-old daughter Alaina, to the presentation ceremony however. Mahmud said he liked to show his credential under pressure. When I was a player, you all used to call me a fighter. From a very young age I liked to work under pressure. I enjoy working with small teams especially and leading them to wins. Actually, when you make a team, everyone wants to be a champion. So, in a sense, they [the owners] didnt put that kind of a pressure on us. Yes, they discussed things with us and we heard their opinion. But at the end of the day, we took the decision that our team management thought was better. I am mature enough to know how to handle all of this. I handled all of these issues and I didnt let these affect my players. I kept all of this away from the players. Initially I was a bit afraid since there are so many big players in our team. For instance, I didnt know how to drop Mahela Jayawardene. But to my surprise, everyone was very supportive. I was very lucky that way. Mahela was with us in the dressing room and he supported our every move, he added. Both Shakib and Mahmud have won their second tournament following the Dhaka Premier League this year andthey both rated the BPL championship much higher than their former win.