How the Tigers' Champions Trophy squad performed in the BPL

Bangladesh unveiled their 15-member squad for the ICC Champions Trophy on 12 January, with notable omissions dominating discussions.

Shakib Al Hasan was left out due to his ongoing bowling ban, while Litton Das missed out following a run of poor form. In their absence, young batter Parvez Hossain Emon was handed a spot in the squad.

With nearly a month of Bangladesh Premier League (BPL) cricket since the squad announcement, the tournament provided a platform for selected players to justify their inclusion. However, while the bowlers impressed, the batting unit—particularly the top order—struggled for consistency. With the BPL title decided on Friday in the final between Chittagong Kings and Fortune Barishal, it's worth examining how the players selected for Bangladesh's Champions Trophy squad have performed in this edition of the tournament.

Shanto's struggles continue

Captain Najmul Hossain Shanto endured a disappointing BPL campaign, playing only five matches for Fortune Barishal before being dropped. His tally of 56 runs at an average of 11.20 and a strike rate of 119.14 placed him 57th on the tournament's run-scorers list—making him the lowest-ranked batter from Bangladesh's Champions Trophy squad. Fortune Barishal captain Tamim Iqbal defended Shanto's exclusion, stating:

"It is very unfortunate. We haven't been able to give him as many opportunities as he deserves. Our team combination has made it difficult to fit him in. Even in the early matches, we struggled to find the right balance. I have tried to give him chances, but his exclusion is not due to performance."

Top-order inconsistency and Emon's controversy

Among the other top-order batters, Towhid Hridoy had an underwhelming campaign, scoring 280 runs in 12 innings at an average of 25.45 and a strike rate of 132.07. While he failed to find consistency, he did produce a match-winning unbeaten 82 in the Qualifier 1.

Parvez Hossain Emon, chosen ahead of Litton Das for the Champions Trophy, found himself at the centre of controversy during the BPL. After being dropped from the Chattogram Kings' playing XI early on, team owner Samir Quader Chowdhury admitted to withholding Emon's payment due to personal dissatisfaction. Following backlash, Chowdhury later apologised, and Emon returned with significant improvement, delivering crucial knocks when it mattered most. He scored 75 and 36 in key matches against Barishal and carried that form into the final, where he reached a half-century off 30 balls and remained unbeaten at 78 off 49 balls. Consistently among the runs towards the later stages of the tournament, he accumulated 338 runs in the tournament.

Soumya Sarkar played just four matches due to injuries, scoring 105 runs with a best of 74, but his limited opportunities make it difficult to assess his form heading into the Champions Trophy.

The exception in the top order was Tanzid Hasan Tamim, who had a breakthrough BPL season. Finishing as the second-highest run-scorer, Tanzid amassed 485 runs in 12 matches at an average of 44.09 and a strike rate of 141.39. He smashed 36 sixes—the most by a Bangladeshi in a single BPL season—surpassing Towhid Hridoy's 2023 tally of 24 sixes. His standout innings included a 108-run knock, and his performances provided a rare bright spot among Bangladesh's top-order batters.

Middle-order contributions

Mahmudullah Riyad scored 206 runs in seven innings at an impressive average of 34.33 and a strike rate of 143.05. He registered two half-centuries, demonstrating his ability to accelerate when needed.

Mushfiqur Rahim, another veteran, had a subdued tournament, managing 184 runs in eight innings at an average of 26.28 and a strike rate of 127.77. 

Jaker Ali had a decent campaign for Sylhet Strikers, scoring 241 runs in 12 innings at an average of 24.10 and a strike rate of 127.51. While he did not register any half-centuries, his contributions in the lower middle order were useful, with a highest score of 47*.

Miraz shines as an all-rounder

Mehidy Hasan Miraz emerged as one of the tournament's standout all-rounders. He was eighth on the run-scorers list with 355 runs at an average of 27.30 and a strike rate of 132.95. Additionally, he ranked 10th among wicket-takers, claiming 13 wickets at an economy rate of 7.25. His performances were instrumental in Khulna Tigers' campaign, though his decision to bowl Musfik Hasan in the final over of Qualifier 2 ultimately cost them a spot in the final. His all-round performance earned him the Player of the tournament award for this edition of the BPL. The question now is whether Miraz can replicate Shakib Al Hasan's past all-round contributions in ICC tournaments. 

Taskin leads the bowlers

Among the bowlers, Taskin Ahmed was the standout performer. The right-arm pacer broke the record for most wickets in a single BPL edition, claiming 25 wickets in 12 matches at an astonishing average of 12.04. His best figures of 7/19 placed him among the top three bowling performances in recognised T20 cricket.

Tanzim Hasan Sakib also had a strong campaign, ranking seventh in the wicket-taking charts with 16 wickets in nine matches at an average of 18.18. Nasum Ahmed was 10th, with 13 wickets in 12 matches, including a match-winning 3/16 in the Eliminator.

Mustafizur Rahman's form was a concern, despite his 13 wickets in 12 matches. His economy rate of 7.35 was respectable, but his inability to deliver match-winning spells contributed to Dhaka Capitals' early exit.

Young pacer Nahid Rana showed promise but saw his pace drop midway through the tournament which sparked conversations regarding his workload, finishing with 10 wickets in 12 matches at an economy rate of 8.13. Meanwhile, leg-spinner Rishad Hossain took seven wickets in 10 matches with an economy rate of 8.42, but he will need to improve significantly ahead of the Champions Trophy. However, his match-winning cameo of 18 off 6 balls in the final, featuring two sixes when all seemed lost for Barishal, was particularly notable. This brief but impactful knock, along with glimpses of his ability to provide quick cameos in the lower order earlier in the tournament, offers a glimmer of hope for the Tigers ahead of the Champions Trophy, should he be called upon.

With the ICC Champions Trophy beginning on 20 February, Bangladesh's squad faces a stern test against India, New Zealand, and Pakistan. While the bowling unit has shown promise, the batting performances in the BPL raise concerns. The top order, barring Tanzid, struggled, and middle-order consistency remains an issue.

The Tigers begin their campaign against India in Dubai before facing New Zealand on 24 February and Pakistan on 27 February in Rawalpindi. With conditions in Dubai favouring spinners, Rishad Hossain and Nasum Ahmed will be looked upon. As the squad transitions from franchise cricket to international competition, their BPL performances may serve as both motivation and a reality check.