BPL2022
Final Played at SBNCS Dhaka on 18 February 2022
Comilla Victorians (CV) 151/9 (Sunil Narine 57, Moeen Ali 38, Abu Hider 19, Mujeeb Ur Rahman 2/27, Shafiqul Islam 2/31)
Fortune Barisal (FB) 150/8 (Shykat Ali 58, Chris Gayle 33, Sunil Narin 2/15, Tanvir Islam 2/25)
CV won by 1 run
Player of the Match: Sunil Narin
Player of The Tournament: Shakib Al Hasan.
Comilla Victorians riding on team spirit and brilliance of tormentor Sunil Narine deservedly won BPL 2022. This was there third championship in BPL.
The final was breadth taking and nerve wrecking going down to the wire. CV bowlers Mustafiz and Sohidul Kept their cool and the team did not panic. Salhuddin’s boys were deservedly rewarded.
Star all rounder Shakib created controversy before the match going for a commercial advertisement event a day before the match breaking COVID protocol. Do not know whether this affected his focus. He was well below his brilliant best in the match scoring only 7 runs and not bowling at his miserly best. He though won the player of match award but his team lost the final by just 1 run. Congratulations CV, commiseration FB. History only beacons Victorians not remembers Victors.
Batting first after winning the toss CV opener Sunil Narine launched savage attack on FB bowlers. 36 runs in the first two overs pushed FB on the back foot. However, Tighter bowling later on by Mujeeb (2/27), Shafiqul (2/31) kept CV innings under control. Apart from Sunil (57) and Moeen Ali (38) only pace bowler Abu Hider could score 19. It was final and in the final competitive score on board 151 requires cool nerves and batting leaders guiding.
Unfortunately, on the day promising Munim Shahriar (0), Shakib (7) and Dwayne Bravo failed to follow up Shykat Ali (58) and universe Boss Chris Gayle (38). Still then the match was under reasonable control of FR till in the last two over Fizz Mustafiz and Cool Shohidul bowled superbly the over 19 and 20 choking FB. To the joy of sports loving Comilla CV peeped FR to the post. We must congratulate CV for their constancy. Their foreign recruits all-rounder's Sunil Narine; Moeen Ali delivered at business session of the tournament. Faf du Plessis played his part. Mustafiz, Liton, Kayes and Mahmudul Hasan did their bit. A happy family nursed by Salahuddin deservedly won. FB could not give the fitting farewell to Universe Boss and veteran all-rounder D Bravo (both announced retirement from International Cricket) or Barisal fans.
All across the cricket world franchise cricket produce opportunities for giving exposure of budding youngsters for rubbing shoulders with the best of the best. The franchise grows with every event. But other than CV no other franchise so far showed consistency. Ownership changed almost regularly. BPL 2022 failed to attract top players for different reasons. New Zealand South Africans are locked in test series, Australia is hosting Sri Lankans. Moreover, top players now prefer PSL over most of the franchise for far better facilities. Still CV recruited better quality foreign players and let experienced Imrul Kayes leading the team.
It was encouraging that most of the leading Bangladesh players appeared in prime form. Hope Tamim, Shakib, Mahmudullah, Mushfique, Mustafiz, Liton, Miraj replicate their white ball forms against the Afghanistanistan in the series knocking at the door. Youngsters like Mritunjoy, Mahmud Hasan Joy and Sohidul impressed. Munim Shahriar failed in the final. But he looked OK for an opportunity in T20 series. Hope BCB would give Shakib a feeling that he is too old for repeating mistakes. Him breaking COVID protocol was height of irresponsibility.
BDST: 1154 HRS, FEB 19, 2022
SMS
