8 interesting facts about BPL you might not know

Posted on December 4, 2019 by Admin in Cricket

The Bangladesh Premier League (BPL) is a professional Twenty20 cricket league organized by the BPL Governing Council. The BPL is one of the three professional cricket leagues in Bangladesh and one of the most attended premier leagues in the world. The BPL was formed in 2011 by the Bangladesh Cricket Board, after the suspension of its predecessor organisation, 2009/10 National Cricket League Twenty20. The BPL has seen many thrilling matches, star players, controversies and records over the years. Here are some interesting facts about the BPL that you might not know:

1. The BPL has had seven different champions in nine seasons

The BPL has been a highly competitive league, with no team dominating for long. In nine seasons, seven different teams have lifted the trophy: Dhaka Gladiators (2012 and 2013), Comilla Victorians (2015 and 2019), Rangpur Riders (2017), Khulna Titans (2016), Rajshahi Kings (2018), Chattogram Challengers (2020) and Fortune Barishal (2022). Only Dhaka Gladiators and Comilla Victorians have won the title twice, while Khulna Titans are the only team to have won the title without losing a single match in the tournament.

2. The BPL has hosted some of the biggest names in cricket

The BPL has attracted some of the best players from around the world, who have entertained the fans with their skills and charisma. Some of the notable players who have played in the BPL include Chris Gayle, AB de Villiers, Shahid Afridi, Shakib Al Hasan, Moeen Ali, Sunil Narine, Andre Russell, Rashid Khan, David Warner, Kumar Sangakkara, Mahela Jayawardene, Brendon McCullum, Eoin Morgan and many more. Some of these players have also set or broken records in the BPL, such as Gayle’s 146* off 69 balls in 2017, which is the highest individual score in the league’s history.

3. The BPL has witnessed some controversial incidents

The BPL has not been without its share of controversies and scandals, which have tarnished its reputation and credibility. Some of the major incidents include:

The match-fixing scandal in 2013, which led to the suspension of nine players and officials, including former Bangladesh captain Mohammad Ashraful.
The franchise dispute in 2014, which resulted in the cancellation of the third season of the league.
The bio-bubble breach in 2022, which involved Shakib Al Hasan leaving the bubble for a TVC shoot and returning ahead of the final with a COVID-negative report. The BCB issued a show-cause notice to his franchise Fortune Barishal for this violation.

4. The BPL has introduced some innovative features

The BPL has also been a pioneer in introducing some new and innovative features to spice up the game and attract more viewers. Some of these features include:

The DRS system, which was first used in the BPL in 2016.
The MVP award, which was introduced in 2022 to recognize the most valuable player of the tournament based on their performance across batting, bowling and fielding.
The TVS Bangladesh Premier League app, which was launched in 2022 to provide live scores, updates, news, videos and statistics to the fans.

5. The BPL has helped develop local talent

One of the main objectives of the BPL is to provide a platform for local players to showcase their talent and gain exposure to international cricket. The BPL has helped many young and promising players to emerge and make their mark in domestic and international cricket. Some of these players include:

Mustafizur Rahman, who was discovered by Mashrafe Mortaza in 2015 and went on to become one of the best bowlers in limited-overs cricket.
Mehidy Hasan Miraz, who captained Bangladesh Under-19 team to their first World Cup semifinal in 2016 and became a regular member of the national team across formats.
Munim Shahriar, who impressed with his fearless batting and strike-rate of 161.81 in the 2022 season and earned a call-up to the national T20I squad.

6. The BPL has contributed to social causes

The BPL has also been involved in various social causes and initiatives to support the community and the environment. Some of these initiatives include:

The Pink Ball initiative, which was launched in 2019 to raise awareness and funds for breast cancer research and treatment.
The Green Dhaka initiative, which was launched in 2020 to plant trees and promote environmental sustainability in the capital city.
The COVID-19 relief fund, which was set up in 2020 to provide financial assistance to the players, staff and officials affected by the pandemic.

7. The BPL has generated huge revenue and popularity

The BPL has been a huge success in terms of revenue and popularity, both domestically and internationally. The BPL has generated millions of dollars in sponsorship, broadcasting and ticketing revenue, as well as creating employment opportunities for thousands of people. The BPL has also attracted millions of viewers and fans from around the world, who have followed the league on TV, online and social media platforms. The BPL has been ranked as the 16th most attended premier league in the world, with an average attendance of over 20,000 per match.

8. The BPL has inspired other sports leagues in Bangladesh

The BPL has not only revolutionized cricket in Bangladesh, but also inspired other sports leagues to follow its footsteps and emulate its success. Some of the other sports leagues that have been launched or revamped in Bangladesh after the BPL include:

The Bangladesh Premier League (football), which is the top tier of Bangladeshi professional football league pyramid.
The Bangladesh Premier League (hockey), which is the top tier of Bangladeshi professional field hockey league pyramid.
The Bangladesh Premier League (volleyball), which is the top tier of Bangladeshi professional volleyball league pyramid.

Conclusion

The Bangladesh Premier League is one of the most exciting and entertaining cricket leagues in the world, which has brought fame and fortune to Bangladesh cricket. The BPL has also been a catalyst for the development of local talent, social causes and other sports leagues in Bangladesh. The BPL has faced some challenges and controversies along the way, but it has overcome them with resilience and determination. The BPL has proved that Bangladesh is a cricket-loving nation, which can host and organize world-class events with pride and passion.