Rajshahi have the depth to dominate
In a team sport like cricket, it's never good to shine the spotlight on just one man. But Shakib Al Hasan is not only the icon player of Khulna Royal Bengals, he could be the only man who matters in the end
Big Picture
The most successful division in Bangladesh domestic cricket, Duronto Rajshahi begin the BPL as favourites. They are a well-oiled machine, always best prepared. At the player auction, Rajshahi had a plan, and though they may have missed out on a few important acquisitions, they formed a squad with enough depth for 19 days of Twenty20 cricket.The batting line-up, led by their icon player Mushfiqur Rahim, looks solid on paper - especially after they secured the services of Marlon Samuels following an intense battle with Chittagong Kings at the auction. Samuels wowed the country during West Indies' tour in October, and the likes of Junaid Siddique, Asif Ahmed and Canada's Rizwan Cheema will be asked to play around him. The supporting batsmen may appear a little nondescript, but the team found success in the National Cricket League Twenty20s in 2010, with the likes of Pakistan's one-Test-cap Qaiser Abbas - a dependable left-hand batsman - in the middle-order.
Veteran Pakistan player Abdul Razzaq and Zimbabwe's Sean Ervine will be key, with their all-round ability, while Fawad Alam and Rajshahi's own Sabbir Rahman could be called into action at critical times. South Africa's Imran Tahir and Saqlain Sajib will be the lead spinners.
Star Attraction
Abdul Razzaq, the 33-year-old allrounder, is a local favourite and will be expected to provide the spark for Rajshahi. After a quiet Big Bash League, where he played for the Melbourne Renegades, Razzaq could be motivated to make this tournament count. The low bounce in Dhaka and Chittagong provide ideal surfaces for a man who thrives in the subcontinent. His bowling is also helpful but most of all, Rajshahi would be pleased to have his services for the entire tournament.Top player
When he was carving up the Bangladesh bowlers in October last year, little did Marlon Samuels know that he would be a cricketer in high demand in the country in just four months' time. He scored a spectacular 58 against Bangladesh in the only Twenty20, and followed it up with more runs in the ODI series.During the players' auction, Chittagong and Rajshahi fought over his services, the latter winning with a bid of $360,000. It confirmed that players who have done well in the country recently would get a top billing, much like Cheema, whose 93 against England during a World Cup practice game earned him a place in this team.
Under the radar
When he crashed an 18-ball 33 against Afghanistan in the Asian Games cricket final in Guangzhou a little more than a year ago, Sabbir Rahman was hailed as the next big thing in Bangladesh cricket.The need for a big-hitting finisher has always been necessary in the national side, but Sabbir hasn't fulfilled his promise so far. This could be a platform to showcase his mettle once again. The sometimes temperamental Sabbir also bowls handy leg-spin, another rarity in the country. Coach Khaled Mashud, who has had a big influence on him, would expect Sabbir to manufacture a few wins if and when the opportunity arises.
Mohammad Isam is senior sports reporter at the Daily Star in Dhaka
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