Out to prove themselves

Mashrafe Bin Mortaza is yet to lose a Bangladesh Premier League title. He won it with the Dhaka Gladiators in both the inaugural and second seasons. However, for him to retain that record this time around, it's going to be more than just a challenge.

The Comilla Victorians aren't like the star-studded sides that the Gladiators boasted in the last two editions of the tournament. Nevertheless, courtesy of some clever buys, the Victorians still have the potential to be one of the most exciting teams in the competition.

Outside the field the Victorians have had a grand opening. They have roped in film stars as their ambassadors and the grand launching ceremony of their franchise depicted just how serious they are about the third edition of the BPL.

The other aspect that reflects a similar sentiment is the potential that each of their local players have. In Liton Das and Imrul Kayes they have two, although different, brilliant openers who on their day can easily frustrate an opponent. Imrul has been in good form in both Tests and ODIs this year. It compelled the national team to call him for the T20I series against Zimbabwe.

Although he had a dismal outing in the only T20I which he played, the fact that a player who was previously considered just for the longest format of the game managed to comeback in this format goes on to show his resilience.

Liton on the other hand will want to perform in order to keep his place in the upcoming ICC World Twenty20 squad.

Also in the side are two all-rounders who can be extremely effective in these conditions. Both Shuvagata Hom and Mahmudul Hasan Limon have recently toured with Bangladesh A and they both performed quite well. Apart from contributing with the bat, they can also be quite tricky with their off-spinners, which could benefit the team's balance.

They also have the exciting Kamrul Islam Rabbi in the side who had recently broken through to the national squad for the series against Zimbabwe. The fact that he didn't get a game against the Africans can only increase his hunger and further motivate him to perform.

While the locals are no doubt exciting, their main weapon this season could come from the foreign section. Sunil Narine -- who has singlehandedly won games for the Kolkata Knight Riders in the Indian Premier League -- is already in town and will be looking to continue his brilliant run here.

Apart from Narine they also have the hard-hitting Marlon Samuels to boost their batting. On the whole, it seems Comilla did a good job to sign a number of players who are hungry to prove their worth and that's a good sign.

SQUAD

Icon player: Mashrafe Bin Mortaza
Local players: Liton Das, Imrul Kayes, Shuvagata Hom, Sanjamul Islam, Kamrul Hasan Rabbi, Ariful Haque, Mahmudul Hasan Limon, Naeem Islam Jr, Abu Haider Ronny, Dhiman Ghosh
Foreign players: Nuwan Kulasekara, Andre Russel, Lahiru Thirimanne, Darren Stevens, Sunil Narine, Marlon Samuels, Ahmed Shehzad, Shoaib Malik, Krishmar Santokie
Coach: Salauddin