The quest for a triple crown ended in disappointment for the Comilla Victorians as they clinched the runner-up spot for the first time in their history, marking a departure from their usual championship streak in the Bangladesh Premier League (BPL). Despite this setback, coach Mohammad Salahuddin finds solace in the team's major achievement throughout the tournament.
Over the years, Comilla has been synonymous with BPL success, securing titles in three out of four previous tournaments, all under the leadership of Salahuddin. Despite the streak of victories, Salahuddin has consistently voiced concerns about the performance of local cricketers, particularly questioning their batting judgment and ability to read match situations.
However, this season saw a notable shift in perspective. Salahuddin lauded the performances of Towhid Hridoy, Zakir Ali, and Alis Al Islam during press conferences, highlighting an upward trajectory in the local players' performances. Following the tournament's conclusion, Salahuddin reiterated his satisfaction with the local talent, emphasizing their pivotal role in the team's journey.
In contrast to their formidable local lineup, Comilla's foreign stars, including Andre Russell, Sunil Narine, Johnson Charles, and Moeen Ali, failed to deliver consistently, especially in crucial moments like the final. While Russell's late fireworks boosted the team's total, their bowling performances fell short of expectations, prompting Salahuddin to reflect on unmet expectations from the overseas players.
Amidst the foreign stars' inconsistencies, local standout Towhid Hridoy shone brightly, finishing as the tournament's second-highest run-scorer with an impressive strike rate. Contributions from Zakir Ali and Litton Kumar Das further bolstered Comilla's batting lineup, while bowlers Tanvir Islam, Mustafizur Rahman, and emerging talents like Alis Al Islam and Rishaad Hossain made notable impacts.
Salahuddin expressed his contentment with the local players' performances, praising their aggression and winning mentality as positive takeaways from the tournament. Despite falling short of the ultimate prize, Comilla's reliance on local talent signals a promising future for the team in upcoming seasons of the BPL.
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