Favourites Dhaka live up to expectations
Favourites from the start, Dhaka's win came as no surprise to many, but that does not mean it was an easy ride to the title
Mohammad Isam
10-Dec-2016
Table-toppers Dhaka Dynamites won the 2016 BPL season after beating Rajshahi Kings in the final • BCB
Tournament overview
Everyone expected Dhaka Dynamites to win the BPL. But as their captain Shakib Al Hasan and coach Khaled Mahmud said after clinching the trophy, it was never an easy ride.
Everyone expected Dhaka Dynamites to win the BPL. But as their captain Shakib Al Hasan and coach Khaled Mahmud said after clinching the trophy, it was never an easy ride.
With expectations come pressure, and Dhaka had a lot of that this season. They had the squad for every situation and all conditions but to pick an XI was a nightmare at times.
If they hadn't won the trophy, there would have been more questions about their ability but with so many match-winners in their team, Shakib managed to get everyone together and become a successful unit.
Dhaka had Dwayne Bravo and Andre Russell together towards the end of the tournament while Evin Lewis, Kumar Sangakkara, Seekkuge Prasanna and Matt Coles provided thrusts whenever required. The local players, led by Shakib and Mehedi Maruf, gave important performances too.
Mosaddek Hossain, Sunzamul Islam and Mohammad Shahid made handy contributions while Nasir Hossain, Alauddin Babu and Abu Jayed chipped in at times.
High point
Dhaka's batting stumbled in the final but Sangakkara made sure they passed the 150-mark, which was always going to be a safe score in a night game in Mirpur. Their bowling and fielding did not relent as Rajshahi Kings were bowled out for just 103. The team effort that Shakib insisted was quite evident as they dominated a big final.
Dhaka's batting stumbled in the final but Sangakkara made sure they passed the 150-mark, which was always going to be a safe score in a night game in Mirpur. Their bowling and fielding did not relent as Rajshahi Kings were bowled out for just 103. The team effort that Shakib insisted was quite evident as they dominated a big final.
Low point
The only time in the tournament that Dhaka Dynamites disappointed was when they couldn't defend 182 against Rajshahi in Chittagong. For once their bowling fell apart, against Samit Patel's big-hitting.
The only time in the tournament that Dhaka Dynamites disappointed was when they couldn't defend 182 against Rajshahi in Chittagong. For once their bowling fell apart, against Samit Patel's big-hitting.
Top of the class
Dwayne Bravo was the tournament's highest wicket-taker, and Dhaka's best bowler on most days. He took three wickets on four occasions, with his variation always posing a problem at the end of an innings. Bravo now has the most wickets in a calendar year in T20s.
Dwayne Bravo was the tournament's highest wicket-taker, and Dhaka's best bowler on most days. He took three wickets on four occasions, with his variation always posing a problem at the end of an innings. Bravo now has the most wickets in a calendar year in T20s.
Under-par performer
Nasir Hossain started the BPL with a decent innings and a great catch but ended it with a whimper. He finished with 195 runs in 10 innings, without a fifty. His bowling was irregular throughout the tournament.
Nasir Hossain started the BPL with a decent innings and a great catch but ended it with a whimper. He finished with 195 runs in 10 innings, without a fifty. His bowling was irregular throughout the tournament.
Tip for 2017
A similar team may be hard to put together, but Dhaka's finances and overall resources could still see them building another championship worthy team for 2017.
A similar team may be hard to put together, but Dhaka's finances and overall resources could still see them building another championship worthy team for 2017.
Mohammad Isam is ESPNcricinfo's Bangladesh correspondent. @isam84