Mahmudullah, Tamim top picks; Sammy captain
In accordance with the rule of a maximum of four overseas players, ESPNcricinfo had to sacrifice one big performer in the best XI of BPL 2016
Mohammad Isam
10-Dec-2016
Darren Sammy is captain for his crucial runs, top leadership and knack of getting breakthroughs • BCB
1 Tamim Iqbal (476 runs at 43.27, SR 115.8)
Given his top position among the run-scorers, Tamim was an automatic choice. He spent much of the tournament trying to ensure his runs mattered for Chittagong Vikings, who failed to make it past the eliminator match despite having a strong line-up.
Given his top position among the run-scorers, Tamim was an automatic choice. He spent much of the tournament trying to ensure his runs mattered for Chittagong Vikings, who failed to make it past the eliminator match despite having a strong line-up.
2 Mehedi Maruf (347 runs, SR 135.54)
Maruf's strike rate was the highest among openers who played at least 10 innings. He did not make many big scores but always provided Dhaka Dynamites with a fast start in the Powerplay. He is a good fielder too, and affected a crucial run-out to dismiss Sabbir Rahman in the final.
Maruf's strike rate was the highest among openers who played at least 10 innings. He did not make many big scores but always provided Dhaka Dynamites with a fast start in the Powerplay. He is a good fielder too, and affected a crucial run-out to dismiss Sabbir Rahman in the final.
3 Sabbir Rahman (377 runs, SR 117.81)
Sabbir edged out Mohammad Mithun by virtue of one innings. His 122 against Barisal Bulls was the tournament's only century. Mithun had a better average and appeared more stable, but you would always want a gun batsman like Sabbir at No. 3.
Sabbir edged out Mohammad Mithun by virtue of one innings. His 122 against Barisal Bulls was the tournament's only century. Mithun had a better average and appeared more stable, but you would always want a gun batsman like Sabbir at No. 3.
4 Mahmudullah (396 runs at 33; 10 wickets, 7.41 RPO)
He was often a one-man show for Khulna Titans. For his exploits with bat and ball, Mahmudullah was the Player of the Tournament. He was consistent with the bat despite having to switch between roles of anchor and slogger, and though he bowled less this year, his last-over heroics in two matches ultimately took Khulna to the playoffs.
He was often a one-man show for Khulna Titans. For his exploits with bat and ball, Mahmudullah was the Player of the Tournament. He was consistent with the bat despite having to switch between roles of anchor and slogger, and though he bowled less this year, his last-over heroics in two matches ultimately took Khulna to the playoffs.
5 Mohammad Nabi (overseas, 230 runs, SR 174.24; 19 wickets, 6.47 RPO)
Chittagong had great service from Mohammad Nabi, who won them matches with bat and ball. His reputation grew from the 2013 BPL, when he appeared for Sylhet Royals, but this time he was more involved by bowling up front and batting higher up the order.
6 Darren Sammy (capt) (overseas, 276 runs, SR 174.68; 6 wickets, 7.54 RPO)
By pulling Rajshahi Kings to the final with his leadership and crucial runs, Sammy was chosen ahead of Kumar Sangakkara, who made 370 runs, in the XI. Sammy brought his ability to inspire to a franchise that was making its debut in the BPL. His team talks, some of which were seen in the middle, seemed to bring everyone together. His big-hitting also won them a few matches, and there was also the odd breakthrough with the ball.
By pulling Rajshahi Kings to the final with his leadership and crucial runs, Sammy was chosen ahead of Kumar Sangakkara, who made 370 runs, in the XI. Sammy brought his ability to inspire to a franchise that was making its debut in the BPL. His team talks, some of which were seen in the middle, seemed to bring everyone together. His big-hitting also won them a few matches, and there was also the odd breakthrough with the ball.
7 Mushfiqur Rahim (wk) (341 runs at 37.88, SR 134.78; 7 dismissals)
Because Sangakkara could not be fit in because of the limit on overseas players, Mushfiqur made it. He was the lone light in a dreary season for Barisal Bulls, who finished at the bottom. There was a marked improvement in Mushfiqur's wicketkeeping.
Because Sangakkara could not be fit in because of the limit on overseas players, Mushfiqur made it. He was the lone light in a dreary season for Barisal Bulls, who finished at the bottom. There was a marked improvement in Mushfiqur's wicketkeeping.
8 Dwayne Bravo (overseas, 104 runs; 21 wickets, 7.55 RPO)
Dhaka Dynamites wouldn't have been champions without Bravo's effervescence with the ball. He failed to take wickets in only two matches and collected at least three wickets in four matches. He was the highest wicket-taker of the tournament, which helped him stretch his lead as T20 cricket's highest wicket-taker.
Dhaka Dynamites wouldn't have been champions without Bravo's effervescence with the ball. He failed to take wickets in only two matches and collected at least three wickets in four matches. He was the highest wicket-taker of the tournament, which helped him stretch his lead as T20 cricket's highest wicket-taker.
9 Arafat Sunny (13 wickets, 6.29 RPO)
Sunny edged out Sunzamul Islam, Nazmul Islam and Rangpur Riders team-mate Sohag Gazi because he conceded only 4.02 per over in wins. Sunny was also the only Bangladeshi spinner among the top ten wicket-takers this season. But he had one sour note: his bowling action was reported by umpires for one delivery.
Sunny edged out Sunzamul Islam, Nazmul Islam and Rangpur Riders team-mate Sohag Gazi because he conceded only 4.02 per over in wins. Sunny was also the only Bangladeshi spinner among the top ten wicket-takers this season. But he had one sour note: his bowling action was reported by umpires for one delivery.
10 Shafiul Islam (18 wickets, 7.78 RPO)
In this unusually long injury-free period, Shafiul bowled better than he has ever done in a tournament. He ended with more wickets than Rubel Hossain, Mohammad Shahid and Taskin Ahmed, becoming the highest Bangladeshi wicket-taker in the tournament. But he eventually suffered a hamstring injury and missed the second qualifier for Khulna.
In this unusually long injury-free period, Shafiul bowled better than he has ever done in a tournament. He ended with more wickets than Rubel Hossain, Mohammad Shahid and Taskin Ahmed, becoming the highest Bangladeshi wicket-taker in the tournament. But he eventually suffered a hamstring injury and missed the second qualifier for Khulna.
11 Junaid Khan (20 wickets, 6.09 RPO)
Junaid was the second highest wicket-taker in the tournament, grabbing the attention with a four-wicket haul in Khulna's first game. His pace, lengths and variation impressed even Wasim Akram, who tweeted that the performance should be noticed by Pakistan's selectors.
Junaid was the second highest wicket-taker in the tournament, grabbing the attention with a four-wicket haul in Khulna's first game. His pace, lengths and variation impressed even Wasim Akram, who tweeted that the performance should be noticed by Pakistan's selectors.
Mohammad Isam is ESPNcricinfo's Bangladesh correspondent. @isam84