Tamim Iqbal thanks Mushfiqur Rahim for easing his burden and commends the team’s unity.
On Friday night, when the Fortune Barishal team took a victory lap, the Shere Bangla National Stadium was packed to the brim. The crowd’s enthusiastic roar greeted the new BPL champions, delivering a delightful surprise.
“I am amazed with the amount of supporters that Barishal has,” captain Tamim Iqbal remarked. “I always thought that Comilla [Victorians] had the biggest support but Barishal this year has overtaken them big time.”
And that was only inside the stadium. Thousands outside hoped to snag tickets, highlighting the public’s enthusiasm for this year’s tournament. Despite its many flaws, the BPL’s deep connection with the fans makes this moment incredibly gratifying.
Fortune Barishal won their maiden BPL title • Raton Gomes/BCB
Barishal may not be a bustling cricket hub, and although the BPL team featured just one player from the region, the local support has remained strong. The city has embraced the team, especially Tamim Iqbal. Despite his recent injuries and controversies, the former Bangladesh captain delivered his best BPL season as a batter. This victory marks Tamim’s second BPL title, having previously won with Comilla in 2019. Many of his teammates, including a few veterans, were celebrating their first BPL championship.
“Winning the trophy feels fantastic, particularly for the two senior cricketers [Mahmudullah] Riyad bhai and Mushfiqur [Rahim],” Tamim mentioned. “They have served the country for a long time but they never won this trophy. This title is dedicated to them.
“Before the tournament, I asked Mushfiq to look after the ground, like making bowling and fielding changes. I was busy with building team strategy. I had to look after which overseas players to bring. There was a lot of coming and going.
“Mushfiq was phenomenal. His leadership took the pressure off me. I could concentrate on my batting. I must thank him. He deserves the trophy more than me. Mushfiq and Mahmudullah are brilliant, professional cricketers. Young cricketers should see them as idols for on-field performances and preparation.
Tamim mentioned that winning the BPL trophy was a testament to the team’s unity and expressed pride in fostering such an environment. He also highlighted that the team management’s decision to let the players handle cricketing matters contributed to their success.
“I just wanted to create a very good team environment. Everyone contributed towards it. We were extremely lucky to get some good guys among the overseas players, too,” Tamim mentioned. “At one stage, we doubted if we could reach the playoffs but we got this far because of the team environment. Our owner [Mizanur Rahman] organised everything very well but he had zero involvement in the cricketing side of things. He relied on me. I hope I have paid him back.”
A solid bench played a crucial role in Barishal’s victory. Mohammad Saifuddin, who had just returned to competitive cricket after a lengthy injury layoff, initially faced uncertainty regarding his performance. However, the all-rounder proved to be one of the team’s standout players. In the final, he bowled the 20th over against Andre Russell, conceding only seven runs and helping to restrict Comilla to 154 runs while batting first.
“Our long batting line-up allowed me to take the odd chance at the top. We did it in the final. We got one or two big overs, which were important. There was no personal emotion involved on the field. I wanted to do well. I wasn’t at my best shape but I still contributed which was good”
Tamim Iqbal
“I think Saifuddin’s inclusion was very important for us,” Tamim said. “We took the gamble. Nobody was sure if he could play. It paid off big time. It was a game-changer for us. You saw him bowling an unbelievable last over in the final.”
Kyle Mayers, who joined late due to the unavailability of some of Barishal’s initial overseas picks and the early departure of others, made an immediate impact. Over six matches, he averaged over 40 and maintained a strike rate of nearly 160. In the final, he aggressively scored 21 runs off an over bowled by Russell.
“We had Mohammad Amir and Fakhar Zaman in our plans, but they didn’t come ultimately,” Tamim mentioned. “It caused chaos in our plans a few days before the tournament. Kyle Mayers’ inclusion was amazing. He contributed with bat and ball. His performance was big for us.”
The captain ended as the top scorer and clinched the Player-of-the-Tournament award. It was a welcome shift for Tamim, who played with renewed freedom and confidence. “I think the wickets were good. Our long batting line-up allowed me to take the odd chance at the top. We did it in the final. We got one or two big overs, which were important. There was no personal emotion involved on the field. I wanted to do well. I wasn’t at my best shape, but I still contributed, which was good.”
Comilla and Rangpur Riders were the tournament favorites. Still, as Tamim noted, Barishal’s success stemmed from creating a solid team within a positive environment. They flew under the radar for much of the tournament until their victories in the eliminator and the second qualifier.
This meant Comilla, aiming for a hat-trick of titles, found themselves up against a formidable opponent, and on the big day, Barishal emerged victorious.
Show your favorite team some love! Visit our site to let them know you’re cheering them on
Top Cricket News | Bangladesh Premier League | Bangladesh Premier League News | Big Bash League | Cricket World Cup | Indian Premier League | Pakistan Super League | T20 Blast
One thought on “Barishal’s BPL Triumph: Against All Odds – Bangladesh Premier League”