In the 2023 edition of the Bangladesh Premier League (BPL), familiar names and emerging talents showcased their prowess on the T20 stage, setting the cricketing world abuzz. Tamim Iqbal, the all-time leading run-scorer in BPL history, continued to dazzle, securing a spot in the top 10 run-getters alongside the legendary Shakib Al Hasan.
The BPL has cemented its status as Bangladesh’s premier franchise T20 competition, attracting international luminaries such as Mohammad Rizwan and Tamim Iqbal, to name a few. Over the years, the tournament has witnessed a plethora of breathtaking batting performances that have etched themselves into the annals of cricketing history.
On a memorable Thursday evening, February 16, at the Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium in Mirpur, the Comilla Victorians triumphed, defeating the Sylhet Strikers by 7 wickets to capture their fourth BPL title. The final was a spectacle, with the Strikers setting a formidable target of 176 runs, thanks to half-centuries from Mushfiqur Rahim and Najmul Hossain Shanto. However, Comilla Victorians had their own heroes, with Johnson Charles, Litton Das, and a crucial cameo from Moeen Ali propelling them to their second consecutive title.
The leaderboard for the most runs in the Bangladesh Premier League 2023 was dominated by Sylhet Strikers’ Towhid Hridoy and Najmul Hossain Shanto. Hridoy, a 22-year-old top-order batsman, was in scintillating form throughout the tournament, amassing multiple fifties, with an impressive unbeaten 85* against Rangpur Riders as his standout performance. Meanwhile, Shanto, maintaining an average around 37, followed closely behind his teammate in the run-scoring charts.
Tamim Iqbal, the tournament’s all-time leading run-scorer, also left his mark on BPL 2023. Despite a sluggish start, Tamim picked up the pace, delivering two half-centuries in a span of six matches. His best performance was a breathtaking 95-run knock off just 61 balls against Comilla Victorians, showcasing his undeniable talent and ability to change the course of a game.
Shakib Al Hasan, known for his bowling prowess, displayed his batting brilliance for Fortune Barishal. The left-handed all-rounder’s performances in BPL 2023 placed him among the top contenders in the run-scoring charts, further solidifying his status as a cricketing legend. Remarkably, Shakib also ranked among the top six hitters in the tournament, proving his versatility on the field.
The overseas contingent made its presence felt in BPL 2023, with Pakistan’s Iftikhar Ahmed emerging as one of the most prolific overseas batsmen. He etched his name in history as the third centurion of the 2023 season, hammering an unbeaten 100 off just 45 balls in a match-winning performance against Rangpur Riders. Iftikhar played the role of the glue in the Fortune Barishal middle-order, contributing significantly to his team’s success.
Fellow countryman Mohammad Rizwan was another standout performer, leading the run-scoring charts for the Comilla Victorians. While Rizwan didn’t manage a century, he consistently delivered multiple half-centuries while maintaining an impressive average of over 50.
In addition to these stellar performances, Azam Khan, Johnson Charles, and Usman Khan also joined the elite club of century-makers in BPL 2023, leaving fans in awe of their batting prowess. As the tournament unfolded, these cricketers demonstrated their exceptional skills, and their names will be etched in BPL history for years to come.