The BPL Hype

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One-Day Internationals over any format, for me, any day of the week. But the hype that surrounds the leagues is infectious and even I couldn't have escaped it even if I wanted to. Bangladesh is already a cricket-loving no, cricket-crazy, nation. And when Bangladesh is in need of not just the gentleman's cricket, but the kind with lots of action, entertainment, big knocks, unorthodox shots, all packed into three and half hours- we turn to the Bangladesh Premiere League. 

While the BPL is non-stop entertainment, what I like most about these leagues is the new heroes we come across. Every year, a fresh new batch of talented sportsmen gets the opportunity to show us what they are made of- whether from home or abroad. Don't get me wrong, the older players are just as worth watching, as you see them in their finest element, slapping the ball away to give maximum excitement.

The Barisal Bulls are equipped with a mighty Brathwaite, who single-handedly lifted the West Indian team to victory in this year's T20 World Cup, and who will not remember, the night of the “champions”? They also have big names like Thisara Perera from Sri Lanka, our very own Mushfiqur Rahim and Shahriar Nafees. We will also get to see Taijul work with the ball again. Chittagong Vikings, always a favourite during BPL, stars the mighty Chris Gayle, whose Scintillating sixes can stop your breath. Tymal Mills from England is an exciting addition, and of course local favourites Tamim and Taskin will have the limelight upon them throughout the tournament. Batting giants like Ahmed Shehzad and Imrul Kayes will be seen in former winners', Comilla Victorians, squad, and of course, our very own Captain Mashrafe will be leading with the ball. 

Dhaka Dynamites, an all-time favourite, has some of the biggest names of the cricketing world playing under their banner- the likes of Kumar Sangakkara, Mahela Jayawardene, Shakib Al Hasan and Nasir Hossain are enough to scare their opponents! The new kid on the block is Khulna Titans, and they are ready with their strong squad to take home the title- with international big hitters like Andre Fletcher, who helped the West Indies secure their T20 WC win against Sri Lanka, and young Nicholas Pooran who surprised the world with a knock of 143 against Australia in the 2014 U-19 World Cup, Riki Wessels from Australia, our very own Mahmudullah Riyadh, and bowlers like Kevon Cooper, Pakistani Junaid Khan, and homeboy Shafiul Islam, among others. Young Mominul will play alongside Windies giant Darren Sammy as teammates in the Rajshahi Kings squad, and we'll see the likes of Boom Boom Afridi, Arafat and Elias Sunny, and Soumya in the Rangpur Riders team.

Now add to that a bunch of exciting newcomers who can, and sometimes do, enthral us more than the more experienced bunch- and you have the BPL summed up.

The weather has finally cleared up, the field is set, the players have been training, and the fourth edition of the Bangladesh Premier League has begun. What are you waiting for? Get your tickets, go to the stadium, and join us in this year's BPL hype!