Andre Russell-inspired Rajshahi Royals will compete against experience-filled Dhaka Platoon in the first match of the second day in the ongoing Akash-DTH Bangabandhu-Bangladesh Premier League (BPL) at the Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium in Mirpur at 1:30pm today.
It’ll not be a sitting duckling for any team to thrash its opposition to win the match. Dhaka have Mashrafe Bin Mortaza, Tamim Iqbal, Shahid Afridi, Thesara Perera, Wahab Riaz along with Anamul Haque Bijoy, Shuvagata Hom, Rokibul Hasan in the line-up.
Mashrafe Bin Mortaza, who is well known for his charismatic leadership, bagged four BPL title in his kitty for three different teams brushing aside his success for the national team. He knows how to use a bowler and which time it should be picked.
On the other hand, everybody across the world knows what type of batsman Tamim Iqbal is. Last time he won Cumilla Victorians single-handedly. He smoked hundred against odds-on favourites Dhaka Dynamites.
Dhaka Platoon roped in Mashrafe Bin Mortaza and Tamim Iqbal from the players’ draft chart, who were out of action for a considerable time. Mashrafe last played in the World Cup while Tamim featured against Sri Lanka in the bilateral series in July this year. Both are on the cards to mark their return into the field through this BPL.
“It’s really nice to see Mashrafe bhai is bowling at the right areas despite not being played for a long time while Tamim bhai is looking like he is among the runs. I think both of them are at fantastic rhythm and hopefully they will contribute well for the team,” said Anamul Haque Bijoy.
“Experienced and senior players are essential parts for a team. Having such players in the squad is quite exciting and I’m very fortunate to have them. Hopefully, it will be a good experience for me too,” Bijoy told media on the National Academy Ground (NCA) ground yesterday after their pre-match day practice session.
Dhaka appointed two-time BPL champions team coach Mohamamd Salahuddin what Bijoy thinks is an extra-edge for the team.
“Actually we played together for a long and this is why our bonding is good. In this side we have almost the same local, international players from the last edition including our coach. (Mohammad Salahuddin). We are trying to deliver our individual effort from respective position and hence I think we are getting an extra advantage from it. So, we aren’t thinking too much of the others,” he viewed.
Shahid Afridi’s leg-spinning magic is able to befool batsmen to take up their wickets at any time till yet. Thesara Perera’s all-round performance made him globe-trotting player. His ability to triumph the team is well known irrespective of wickets and conditions.
Anamul said though Shahid Afridi is unwell they are confident he will be available in time before their opening game.
“He was sick a bit. That’s why he didn’t come but he will come,” wicketkeeper-batsman said.
Rajshahi Royals all-rounder Afif Hossain said that they would aim to gather early momentum in the BPL and try to play as a unit throughout the tournament. Having a practice session with Royals team-mates at the NCA, Afif Hossain reiterated that gaining momentum would be a crucial part in the tournament like BPL.
“Momentum is always an important factor in a tournament. It goes all well for every team when they get off to a good start. We’re expecting a flying start too. We are a very good side, our team combination is pretty good. We want to perform well and play as a team,” said Afif Hossain, whose personal thought is to deliver best effort in this BPL and perform well match by match amending those mistakes that he made in the previous BPLs.
Royals appointed Caribbean all-rounder Andre Russell as their captain in this BPL which Afif thinks a good opportunity for Royals to achieve something big under his leadership.
“We’re very lucky to have a world class player like him as our captain. We’ve a lot of things to learn from him and will try to achieve those while sharing the dressing room. Having him we want to do well in the tournament,” Afif told reporters.