Bangabandhu T20 Cup is more interesting than BPL
Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) President Nazmul Hasan Papon said that he's very impressed with the young cricketers in the ongoing Bangabandhu T20 Cup while added that they will make such a tournament a everlasting fixture within their calendar.
Bangladesh T20 skipper Mahmudullah Riyad said that he's impressed with the Under-19 cricketers in the ongoing Bangabandhu T20 Cup while Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) Chief Selector Minhajul Abedin Nannu added that POWERFUL (HP) Unit members are also shining in the tournament.
Bangabandhu Twenty20 Cup, an initiative of BCB to bring the players back into the field after an extended break, has so far worked as a platform for several young cricketers to break from the shadow of established veterans and enter the limelight.
The five-team T20 tournament, using its group-phase being ended on Saturday, may be the second tournament staged by BCB through the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic following the fifty-over competition, BCB President’s Cup, in October.
The board went ahead with these newly conceived tournaments while ignoring regular domestic competitions to facilitate cricketers go back to the field but as an urgent positive side effect, the tournament has helped several exciting young talents to prove their mettle in the shortest format.
“Firstly we didn't think that we could host this sort of tournament as the first tournament that we did was experimental. We were taking into consideration the home series against West Indies while we were thinking of hosting this tournament,” said Papon.
“For me personally this tournament is much more interesting than BPL. That is my personal observation because we don’t have the opportunity to see so many local cricketers simultaneously,” told Papon.
“We've spoken in the board and thinking how to keep this tournament in the calendar,” he said.
“A whole lot of young cricketers impressed me a whole lot and this is the biggest success of your competition,” he added.
The centurions’ list of the tournament currently contain three names namely Nazmul Hossain, Parvez Hossain and Mohammad Naim, none of whom are regular starters in the national team.
Parvez, who was simply part of Bangladesh’s Under-19 World Cup winning team, became the most effective T20 centurion for Bangladesh with a 42-ball hundred, a record previously held by Tamim Iqbal.
“Overall, we had a great tournament. I am impressed with Under-19 players. Just how they used courage, sense and did well in bowling and fielding is pretty impressive. I feel it will increase the competition also,” said Mahmudullah.
Nazmul, who led Minister Group Rajshahi in the tournament, finished third in the run-getters list with 301 runs, behind Tamim and Liton Das, but won’t get a chance to catch up with them as his team didn't make the cut for play-offs.
Naim, who has played in six out of Bangladesh’s last eight T20Is, returned to feature in the ultimate group-stage game on Saturday with 100 after an underwhelming start.
Mahmudullah said that whoever performs well could have a chance in the national dressing room.
“I feel whoever will succeed, should get yourself a chance in the playing XI. Well, they have played inspirational cricket and I feel this has inspired everyone. I feel if we're able to play competitive cricket it has a positive impact,” he said.
Anisul Islam, a 23-year-old opener playing for Rajshahi, rose out of obscurity and surprised everyone with his aggressive batting at the top of the order, scoring two quickfire fifties and forging the best partnership for just about any wicket in Bangladesh, a 131-run opening stand with Nazmul.
BCB Chief Selector MInhajul Abedin can be ecstatic to see the young players outshine recognised cricketers.
“Young players are successful. We are trying to find professional players for T20s. T20 format is more suited for young players. Here many players from domestic circuit, who don’t get a chance in BPL (Bangladesh Premier League) because of overseas recruits, are playing,” said Minhajul.
Naim, Parvez, Towhid Hridoy, Akbar Ali and Shoriful Islam were all area of the POWERFUL (HP) Unit’s camp held following President’s Cup and Minhajul felt the HP training helped them perform better still in the tournament.
“HP camps are conducted to prepare a generation of players. A whole lot of work has been placed into the HP Unit. If four-five players from this group can play in the national team, it will be great,” he concluded.
