Chance for local players to shine - Shahriar Nafees

Much of the team strategy in the BPL will depend on local talent since seven of them are a minimum requirement in every playing XI, like it was in the first two editions. While one of those places will definitely be taken up by the icon player, the rest would have to play a major role.

Shahriar Nafees, 30, will be one of the locals in the spotlight after he finished as the year's highest run-scorer in Bangladesh's first-class competitions. He had a decent time in the 2013 BPL, scoring his maiden T20 century and has an average of 33.30 in 15 innings, and a strike rate of 110.74. Although he hasn't played for Bangladesh since 2013, he remains as focused in this tournament, where he is playing for the Barisal Bulls.

"My target over the last 18 months has been to perform consistently, which is why I have worked very hard to keep myself prepared for all times," Nafees said. "A player can't really say that tomorrow I will score so and so runs. I hope to be as consistent in the BPL too, as I have done in the other domestic tournaments. I think in almost all the games of the previous BPL that I did well. I don't have a specific target but I would like to make contributions whenever I get a chance."

Nafees felt that there will be a lot more dependency on the local players, which should inspire them to step up. "I don't think there is any team which will win games depending on one player. A lot will depend on the local players in this BPL. So this is a chance for us to bring the spotlight towards us," he said.

Nafees was also confident about his team's bowling prospects. "Riyad [Mahmudullah], Sabbir[ Rahman], Rony [Talukdar] are in good touch. We have a balanced team with foreigners like Mohammad Sami, Kevon Cooper and Brendon Taylor. We will try to perform together to get the result. We have a strong bowling attack with Sohag Gazi and Taijul Islam, and pacers like Al-Amin and Sajedul," he said.

Barisal Bulls play their first match against the Rangpur Riders on November 23, the second day of this season's BPL.