Bangladesh Premier League (BPL):

History of BPL

The Bangladesh Premier League (BPL) is a professional Twenty20 cricket league that was formed in 2011 by the Bangladesh Cricket Board, after the suspension of its predecessor organization, the 2009/10 National Cricket League Twenty20. The inaugural season of the BPL took place in 2012, featuring six teams.

Teams and Captains

Here are the seven teams that currently compete in the BPL, along with their captains:

1. Chattogram Challengers

 (Captain: Mehidy Hasan)

2. Comilla Victorians

 (Captain: Imrul Kayes)

3. Dhaka Dominators 

(Captain: Nasir Hossain)

4. Fortune Barishal 

(Captain: Shakib Al Hasan)

5. Khulna Tigers

 (Captain: Mushfiqur Rahim)

6. Rangpur Riders 

(Captain: Nurul Hasan)

7. Sylhet Strikers

 (Captain: Thisara Perera)

Venues and Stadiums

The BPL matches are played in several venues across Bangladesh, including:

1. Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium, Dhaka

2. Zohur Ahmed Chowdhury Stadium, Chittagong

3. Sylhet International Cricket Stadium, Sylhet

4. Khan Shaheb Osman Ali Stadium, Fatullah

5. Sheikh Abu Naser Stadium, Khulna

Records

Here are some notable records in the BPL:

1. Most runs scored: 2,313 runs by Mushfiqur Rahim (Khulna Tigers)

2. Most wickets taken: 123 wickets by Shakib Al Hasan (Dhaka Dominators)

3. Highest individual score: 141* by Chris Gayle (Rangpur Riders)

4. Best bowling figures: 6/18 by Sohail Tanvir (Sylhet Strikers)

Price and Fan Following

The BPL has gained significant popularity in Bangladesh and globally, with a large fan following. The league has also attracted many international players, with some of the highest-paid players including:

1. Shakib Al Hasan (Dhaka Dominators) - $100,000
2. Chris Gayle (Rangpur Riders) - $80,000
3. Mushfiqur Rahim (Khulna Tigers) - $70,000

The BPL has also seen a significant increase in viewership and revenue, with the 2022 season reaching a total viewership of 300 million people worldwide.

Conclusion

The Bangladesh Premier League (BPL) has established itself as one of the premier T20 leagues in the world, featuring some of the best players from Bangladesh and around the globe. With its rich history, exciting matches, and growing fan following, the BPL continues to thrill cricket enthusiasts and cement its place as a major cricket league.