All you need to know about Bangladesh Premier League 2017: Teams, Squads and Fixtures

The journey of the Bangladesh Premier League (BPL) has seen a roller-coaster ride ever since the event’s inception in 2012. The first season turned out to be an absolute cracker and it was the Dhaka franchise who was crowned as the champions of the inaugural season. The second season witnessed Dhaka retain their title under the leadership of Mashrafe Mortaza.

However, marred by match-fixing scandals, the tournament came to a halt. Nevertheless, the tournament was back with its third season in 2015, much to the delight of Bangladesh cricket. The domestic T20 tournament is into its fifth season and the hype can already be seen in the cricket-crazy nation. In the article, we take you through the squads, fixtures and broadcaster(s) of the 2017 Bangladesh Premier League.

Teams

Dhaka Dynamites

Shakib Al Hasan is the Icon Player

Dhaka Dynamites won the 2016 edition of the Bangladesh Premier League, beating the Rajshahi Kings by 56 runs. This time round, they have a pretty decent squad and have every chance of defending their title. In order for a team to win games consistently, a few game-changers are required in the squad. Dhaka have quite a few of them. They have the exuberance of Evin Lewis, who can take apart any bowling attack.

They have the middle-order covered with the likes of Shane Watson, Shakib and the evergreen Shahid Afridi in the ranks. With the inclusion of Sunil Narine, Mohammed Amir, Shakib and Afridi in the squad, the bowling resources looks well-balanced too. They have depth in both batting and bowling department.

Squad

Shakib Al Hasan, Kumar Sangakkara (wk), Cameron Delport, Shane Watson, Evin Lewis, Kevon Cooper, Rovman Powell, Ronsford Beaton, Sunil Narine, Shahid Afridi, Graeme Cremer, Mohammed Amir, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Mehedi Maruf, Mosaddek Hossain, Abu Hider, Mohammad Shahid, Jahurul Islam, Nadif Chowdhury, Saqlain Sajib, Joe Denly, Akeal Hosein, Syed Khaled Ahmed, Shadman Islam, Noor Hossain Saddam

Chittagong Vikings

Soumya Sarkar is the Icon Player

Chittagong Vikings had a roller coaster of a season last year. They qualified for the playoffs after struggling quite a bit in the round-robin stage. In the eliminator, they were humbled by Rajshahi Kings. They will look to make amends by putting up a decent show in the fifth edition of the BPL. The batting has the firepower with the likes of Soumya Sarkar, veteran-Misbah-ul-Haq, hard-hitter Jermain Blackwood and Luke Ronchi in the mix.

Nevertheless, the bowling lineup doesn’t look much promising. Taskin Ahmed is the only genuine pacer in the squad. Meanwhile, they also lack a quality spinner who can turn things around in crunch moments of a game. Chittagong looks promising, but need to play out of their skins to lift the cup.

Squad

Soumya Sarkar (Icon), Yasir Arafat, Misbah-ul-Haq, Luke Ronchi (wk), Jermaine Blackwood, Sikandar Raza, Luis Reece, Liam Dawson, Jeevan Mendis, Najibullah Zadran, Anamul Haque (wk), Taskin Ahmed, Subashis Roy, Sunzamul Islam, Al-Amin, Alauddin Babu, Tanbir Hayder, Irfan Sukkur, Naeem Hasan

Rajshahi Kings

Mushfiqur Rahim is the Icon Player

Rajshahi Kings progressed to the Final hurdle last season, but stumbled to a 56-runs defeat at the hands of the Dhaka Dynamites. They were erratic in the league stages, losing 6 out of 12 games, but played stupendously well in the Eliminator and Qualifier 2.

By the looks of it, they have a batting-heavy squad for this edition. With the likes of Lendl Simmons, Darren Sammy, Luke Wright, Mominul Haque Mushfiqur, James Franklin and Luke Wright in the squad, they seem to have their batting covered. Mohammed Sami, Mustafizur Rahman, Kesrick Williams and Mehedi Hasan is speculated to play a key role for them in the bowling department.

Squad

Mushfiqur Rahim (Icon), Lendl Simmons, Darren Sammy, Kesrick Williams, Malcom Waller, James Franklin, Luke Wright, Farhad Reza, Samit Patel, Mohammad Sami, Mominul Haque, Mehidy Hasan, Mustafizur Rahman, Zakir Hasan, Nihaduzzaman, Rony Talukdar, Usama Mir, Raja Ali Dar, Hossain Ali, Naeem Islam jnr, Kazi Anik

Comilla Victorians

Tamim Iqbal is the Icon Player

Comilla Victorians struggled to get their act right in the erstwhile edition of the Bangladesh Premier League and finished sixth in the league table. They stumbled to some hefty defeats, which didn’t help their net-run-rate either. The 2015 Champions will be itching to make a strong statement in this edition.

Going into the fifth season, both their batting and bowling department oozes promise. Tamim Iqbal, Marlon Samuels, Darren Bravo and Shoaib Malik’s inclusion provides them with a perfect blend of caution and aggression.

In Hasan Ali and Rashid Khan, they have the world’s number 1 bowler and a young sensation in their ranks. The experience of Mohammed Nabi and Arafat Sunny can turn out to be the perfect combination in order for the Victorians to turn the tables.

Squad

Tamim Iqbal (Icon), Imrul Kayes, Marlon Samuels, Darren Bravo, Shoaib Malik, Jos Buttler, Solomon Mire (Zimbabwe), Mohammed Nabi, Rashid Khan, Hasan Ali, Rumman Raees, Fahim Ashraf, Imran Khan Jr, Liton Das (wk), Mohammad Saifuddin, Al-Amin Hossain, Arafat Sunny, Alok Kapali, Mehidy Hasan, Mehedi Hasan Rana, Enamul Haque, Raqibul Hasan

Khulna Titans

Mahmudullah is the Icon Player

Khulna Titans, under the leadership of Mahmudullah, finished second in the league table last season. They won 7 out of 12 round-robin games, but capitulated to a couple of defeats to Dhaka Dynamites and Rajshahi Kings in the plays, which ended their season. Their squad for the fifth edition doesn’t boast off big names, but they certainly have the quality to turn over the best in the business.

Dawid Malan and Rilee Roussow can be dangerous with the willow at the top of the order. They also have the calmness of Mahmudullah and the ferocity of Carlos Braithwaite in the batting lineup. A chunk of the responsibility of the bowling needs to be shouldered by leg-spinner Shadab Khan fast-bowler Junaid Khan.

Squad

Mahmudullah (Icon), Rilee Roussow, Kyle Abbott, Benny Howell, Jofra Archer, Dawid Malan, Chadwick Walton, Carlos Brathwaite, Shadab Khan, Sarfraz Ahmed, Junaid Khan, Shehan Jayasuriya, Seekkuge Prasanna, Mosharraf Hossain, Shafiul Islam, Nazmul Hossain Shanto, Abu Jayed Rahi, Afif Hossain, Yasir Ali Chowdhury, Imran Ali, Mukter Ali, Dhiman Ghosh, Saif Hassan, Ariful Haque

Rangpur Riders

Mashrafe Mortaza is the Icon Player

Rangpur Riders’ campaign in the 2016 edition of the Bangladesh Premier League didn’t end on a happy note as they were eliminated after the league stage. They were tied with 12 wins apiece along with Chittagong and Rajshahi, but had an inferior net-run-rate while led to their elimination.

Mashrafe Mortaza. Who led the Comilla Victorians, last season will now represent the Riders in the T20 extravaganza. Though they don’t have the big names of world cricket, there’s no dearth of quality in their lineup.

Johnson Charles, Adam Lyth and Thissara Perera have the ability to take any bowling attack to the cleaners. The bowling department looks a tad weak and the likes of Samuel Badree, Elias Sunny and Abdur Razzak have to step up to the plate for the Riders.

Squad

Mashrafe Mortaza (Icon), David Willey, Ravi Bopara, Adam Lyth, Thisara Perera, Kusal Perera, Samuel Badree, Johnson Charles, Mohammad Mithun, Sohag Gazi, Rubel Hossain, Shahriar Nafees, Nazmul Islam Apu, Ziaur Rahman, Fazle Mahmud, Sam Hain, Samiullah Shenwari, Abdur Razzak, Ebadat Hossain, Elias Sunny, Nahidul Islam, Zahir Khan

Sylhet Sixers

Sabbir Rahman is the Icon Player

Sylhet Sixers is the newly included team in the Bangladesh Premier League, replacing the Barisal Bulls. Delving deep into the squad, it can be speculated that the squad will be dependent on a few big names, who need to deliver for the Sixers. Last season, Sabbir Rahman notched up the fastest century in the history of BPL, surpassing Chris Gayle.

The Icon Player will need to replicate the same form in order to shepherd his team to glory. Babar Azam also needs to bring forth his class and flair to score runs consistently. English fast-bowler, Liam Plunkett is most likely to lead the bowling attack.

Squad

Sabbir Rahman (Icon), Babar Azam, Krishmar Santokie, Usman Khan Shinwari, Andre McCarthy, Andre Fletcher, Davy Jacobs, Liam Plunkett, Ross Whiteley, Chaturanga de Silva, Dasun Shanaka, Nasir Hossain, Nurul Hasan, Wanidu Hasaranga, Taijul Islam, Abul Hasan, Shuvagata Hom, Kamrul Islam Rabbi, Nabil Samad, Ghulam Mudasser Khan, Mohammad Sharif, Imtiaz Hossain, Mohammad Sharifullah

Fixtures for Bangladesh Premier League 2017-

Match 1-8, Ground- Sylhet International Cricket Stadium, Sylhet

Match 1, November 04- Sylhet Sixers vs Dhaka Dynamites

Match 2, November 04- Rajshahi Kings vs Rangpur Riders

Match 3, November 05- Sylhet Sixers vs Comilla Victorians

Match 4, November 05- Khulna Titans vs Dhaka Dynamites

Match 5, November 07- Chittagong Vikings vs Comilla Victorians

Match 6, November 07- Sylhet Sixers vs Rajshahi Kings

Match 7, November 08- Rangpur Riders vs Chittagong Vikings

Match 8, November 08- Sylhet Sixers vs Khulna Titans

Match 9-24, Ground- Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium, Dhaka

Match 9, November 11- Rangpur Riders vs Rajshahi Kings

Match 10, November 11- Dhaka Dynamites vs Sylhet Sixers

Match 11, November 12- Chittagong Vikings vs Khulna Titans

Match 12, November 12- Rajshahi Kings vs Comilla Victorians

Match 13, November 14- Dhaka Dynamites vs Khulna Titans

Match 14, November 14- Comilla Victorians vs Chittagong Vikings

Match 15, November 15- Khulna Titans vs Sylhet Sixers

Match 16, November 15- Dhaka Dynamites vs Chittagong Vikings

Match 17, November 17- Rajshahi Kings vs Sylhet Sixers

Match 18, November 17- Khulna Titans vs Chittagong Vikings

Match 19, November 18- Dhaka Dynamites vs Rajshahi Kings

Match 20, November 18- Rangpur Riders vs Comilla Victorians

Match 21, November 20- Dhaka Dynamites vs Comilla Victorians

Match 22, November 20- Sylhet Sixers vs Rangpur Riders

Match 23, November 21- Rajshahi Kings vs Khulna Titans

Match 24, November 21- Dhaka Dynamites vs Rangpur Riders

Match 25-34, Ground- Zahur Ahmed Chowdhury Stadium, Chittagong

Match 25, November 24- Khulna Titans vs Rangpur Riders

Match 26, November 24- Chittagong Vikings vs Sylhet Sixers

Match 27, November 25- Comilla Victorians vs Rajshahi Kings

Match 28, November 25- Chittagong Vikings vs Rangpur Riders

Match 29, November 27- Chittagong Vikings vs Dhaka Dynamites

Match 30, November 27- Khulna Titans vs Rajshahi Kings

Match 31, November 28- Rangpur Riders vs Sylhet Sixers

Match 32, November 28- Khulna Titans vs Comilla Victorians

Match 33, November 29- Chittagong Vikings vs Rajshahi Kings

Match 34, November 29- Comilla Victorians vs Dhaka Dynamites

Match 35-Final, Ground- Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium, Dhaka

Match 35, December 02- Comilla Victorians vs Rangpur Riders

Match 36, December 02- Dhaka Dynamites vs Rajshahi Kings

Match 37, December 03- Sylhet Sixers vs Chittagong Vikings

Match 38, December 03- Rangpur Riders vs Khulna Titans

Match 39, December 05- Comilla Victorians vs Khulna Titans

Match 40, December 05- Rajshahi Kings vs Chittagong Vikings

Match 41, December 06- Dhaka Dynamites vs Rangpur Riders

Match 42, December 06- Comilla Victorians vs Sylhet Sixers

Match 43, December 08- TBC vs TBC, Eliminator

Match 44, December 08- TBC vs TBC, Qualifier 1

Match 45, December 10- TBC vs TBC, Qualifier 2

Match 46, December 12- TBC vs TBC, Final