Mohammedan leading the standings, Bashundhara Kings' struggles, local forwards coming through, betting allegations, and poor grounds have been the highlights after the conclusion of the first phase of the Bangladesh Premier League this weekend.

A revitalised Mohammedan top the table after the first phase for only the second time since the inaugural season of the BPL in 2007. They strung up an eight-match winning streak this season on their way to the top but it was snapped by newly-promoted Fakirerpool Young Men's Club in their last match.

With 24 points from nine matches, three-time league runners-up Mohammedan, however, maintain a four-point advantage over second-placed Abahani and can hope for a maiden title charge, considering the other factors that have coincided with their resurgence led by coach Alfaz Ahmed.

Kings, winners of five consecutive seasons since 2018, have fallen from grace and are looking to strengthen their side with foreign recruits. They are seven points off the top.

In the last five seasons, Kings led the table after the end of the first phase, boasting leads of five points (2023-24 season), nine (2022-23 season), three (2022 seasons), eight (2021 seasons) and four (2020-21 seasons), respectively.

Six-time champions Abahani played the entirety of the first phase without foreign players and are expected to make multiple overseas signings in the mid-term transfer window to challenge the Black and Whites.

Encouraging performances by local players has also been a highlight so far in the tournament, with local forwards often outshining foreign talents. Al Amin (7 goals), Rakib Hossain (5 goals), Nabib Newaz Jibon (5 goals) and Piash Ahmed Nova (4 goals), have all entered the top-10 goal-scoring list, usually dominated by foreigners.

However, the poor grounds in Cumilla, Gazipur and Munshiganj failed to present good contests for the spectators, who regularly turned up to the stadiums outside the capital this time around, and the title contenders also suffered blows due to the poor conditions of the ground.

"Kings could not perform due to a lack of quality foreign players, while Mohammedan SC, despite losing a few players to Abahani, have kept it together because a lot of their players have been together for a few years," former national coach Shafiqul Islam Manik told The Daily Star. 

"The league has seen mostly one-sided contests so far because the lower-table teams are focused on surviving and don't have urgency to do more."