10 International stars to watch out for in BPL 3

The Bangladesh Premier League (BPL) 2015 begins on 22 November and will feature six teams and a tournament format with a double round-robin group stage, two qualifiers and an eliminator to decide the finalists. It features some big names from international cricket. The overseas player’s are sure to generate huge excitement amongst the fans that will be cheering them on. Let’s have a look at 10 stars that may have a huge impact on this year’s BPL. 1. Chris Gayle (Barisal Bulls): Chris Gayle. (Photo Source: BCCI) The one word that fittingly describes this man is ‘BIG’- Big man, big entertainer and a big crowd-puller. Arguably the hardest hitter of the cricket ball in modern day cricket, Gayle is a match-winner like none. The T20 format suits his style of batting and he is without a doubt the greatest batsman in this format. A batsman who relishes monstrous hits, Gayle is a nightmare for bowlers when in form. The Jamaican is a household name who has contributed immensely in making T20 cricket a great spectacle. Bangladesh has a huge fan following for cricket and one can expect sellouts whenever this man is playing. A veteran of 222 T20’s playing in leagues around the world he has scored 8224 runs at an average of 44.21; a remarkable record in the shortest format of the game. 2. Saeed Ajmal (Chittagong Vikings): (© Getty Images) The controversial off-spinner will be eagerly looking to make a mark in the BPL and earn a recall to the national side ahead of the World T20. The Pakistani bowler has huge success in the T20 format and was considered one of the finest exponents of spin bowling however in 2014 he was banned by the ICC because of an illegal bowling action. He worked on his bowling action, remodelled it and made an international comeback albeit an unsuccessful one. Ajmal struggled to take wickets and leaked runs against Bangladesh. He has also had his PCB contract suspended due to his recent outburst about the testing procedures for suspect actions accusing the ICC of double standards. He has played 165 T20’s taking 232 wickets. 3. Sunil Narine (Comilla Victorians): (© LAKRUWAN WANNIARACHCHI/AFP/Getty Images) The West Indian is another off-spinner who has had his recent troubles with an immense scrutiny of his bowling action. One of the most dangerous bowlers in T20 cricket, Narine was first reported for a suspected action in the 2014 Champions League T20 and was subsequently suspended from bowling. In the IPL 2015 he was first cleared to bowl in the tournament, reported and sent for a re-test, banned from bowling his off-breaks, and then cleared again, with a ‘final warning’. He was reported for bowling with a suspect action during the third ODI against Sri Lanka in Pallekele; this was the first time he was reported in an international match. Narine will be hoping for a trouble-free BPL. He has played 164 T20’s taking 212 wickets. 4. Andre Russell (Comilla Victorians): Andre Russell. (Photo Source: BCCI) The West Indian all-rounder has in recent times become a genuine match-winner. An ability to score runs under pressure has become his forte. A huge hitter of the ball he is also a fine fast bowler. One of the most sought after all-rounders in T20 leagues around the world, Russell has played 160 T20’s scoring 2231 runs and taken 109 wickets. The Jamaican is also a brilliant fielder and hence contributes in every department for his team. The Victorians will rely a great deal on him and hope that he makes a mark in the BPL with some stunning performances. 5. Shoaib Malik (Comilla Victorians): Shoaib Malik. (© Getty Images) The Pakistani all-rounder is yet another globetrotter who performs consistently well in all facets of the game. An electrifying fielder, a steady off-spinner and a fine top order batsman, Malik usually gets the job done for his team. Less flamboyant yet hugely effective, he has a fine temperament which helps him deliver the goods in demanding circumstances. He has played 207 T20’s scoring 5382 runs and taken 103 wickets. With such an impressive record, the Victorians must be surely delighted to have his services. 6. Kumar Sangakkara (Dhaka Dynamites): (© Getty Images) The Sri Lankan legend is one of the greatest players to have graced the game. He recently retired from international cricket, however, continued to feature in County cricket and has been in fine touch. Sanga was also the player of the series of the Cricket All Stars T20 league. He is the captain of the Dhaka Dynamites and will be eager to lead from the front. The elegant left-hander is a master tactician and will bring in all his experience to lead the Dhaka outfit. He has played 164 T20’s and scored 4214 runs. Sangakkara is a brilliant wicket-keeper, however, may allow the young keeper Irfan Sukkur to showcase his talents with the gloves. 7. Yasir Shah (Dhaka Dynamites): (Photo Source: Associated Press) The leggie is a big spinner of the ball and uses the flippers and googlies to great effect. The Pakistani is jointly ranked 2nd in the ICC Test Bowler Rankings along with England’s James Anderson and made a spectacular start to his international career. He has played 53 T20’s and taken 42 wickets. He last played for Pakistan in a T20I in 2011 and will be eager to have a great BPL in order to make a comeback to the national side in the shortest format of the game. 8. Quinton de Kock (Rangpur Riders): Quinton De Kock. (Photo Source: Associated Press) The South African is a fine wicket-keeper and a free flowing left-handed batsman. He is a brilliant timer of the ball and can score at a blistering pace. The 22-year-old is relatively young to international cricket, however, has already produced some match-winnings knocks opening the batting for the Proteas. He has played 95 T20’s and scored 2610 runs. He has also taken 55 catches and 16 stumpings and proved to be highly reliable behind the wickets. The Riders who have a great mix of local and international talent will hope that de Kock provides them with exhilarating starts. 9. Shahid Afridi (Sylhet Super Stars): Shahid Afridi. (© Getty Images) The Pakistan T20I captain is one of the game’s biggest hitters and a mercurial character. His fast leg-breaks have proved highly effective in the shorter formats of the game. He has played in T20 leagues around the world and made a mark with consistent performances. A veteran of 182 T20’s he has scored 2699 runs and picked up 203 wickets. A member of the Super Stars team, ‘Boom Boom’ is indeed a superstar himself. A magnetic crowd-puller, Afridi will look to produce some entertaining performances for the fans in Bangladesh. 10. Kieron Pollard (Sylhet Super Stars): Kieron Pollard. (Photo Source: Caribbean Premier League) Another global superstar, Pollard is renowned for hitting sixes at will. He is a handy medium-fast bowler who takes crucial wickets for his team. Another eye-catching aspect of his cricket is his ability to take stunning catches, especially in the outfield where he loves to put in the big yards and display his athleticism. Pollard has played 297 T20’s scoring 5820 runs and picked up 213 wickets. When in-form he is unstoppable and a treat to watch. The likes of Pollard, Afridi, Hodge, Tanvir and skipper Rahim make the Super Stars strong title contenders. Also read: 10 Bangladeshi players to watch out for in the BPL 3

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10 International stars to watch out for in BPL 3

9. Shahid Afridi (Sylhet Super Stars):

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