Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) has organised three major domestic cricket tournaments, Dhaka Premier Division Cricket (DPL), 18th National Cricket League (NCL) and fourth edition of Bangladesh Premier League (BPL) throughout the year. Like the international cricket, the domestic cricket was also eventful in 2016. DPL and BPL got their respective champions but the NCL yet to wait as the fifth round is going on with Khulna Division at the top of the point table.
Dhaka Primer Division Cricket League (DPL)
The DPL started from April 22, 2016 according to 'Player by Choice' system. Ahead of the tournament the auction of the players was held on April 10. There were six icon players, Mashrafe Bin Mortaza, Mushfiqur Rahim, Tamim Iqbal, Mahmudullah, Sabbir Rahman and Imrul Kayes. The most shocking part of the auction was that none of the big teams showed interest on Mashrafe as Kalabagan KC hired the national skipper at the dying moment of the icon bidding.
Though, Shakib Al Hasan was not in the list for bidding, for his international domestic schedule, he was hired by the Abahani later.
However, Abahani Limited emerged the champion of the tournament with 23 points while Prime Doleshwar Sporting Club became runner-up with 21 points.
Abahani clinched the title following an incomplete last match against Prime Doleshwar Sporting Club. During the match at the BKSP-3 ground, umpires Gazi Sohel and Tanvir Ahmed cited "illness" for walking off the field, after they were abused by Abahani players and supporters angrily protesting a stumping decision during Doleshwar's innings and the match was not continue on the next reserve day. Later, Bangladesh Cricket Board approved the report of the four-member investigation committee who recommended a no-result.
However, throughout the tournament there were some other indicants where the fingers were pointed at Abahani with a allegation of getting favour.
Like always, there was payment issue in this edition as well and players of Victoria meet the BCB CEO to help them to get their payment.
Overall, along with the champion Abahani, Prime Doleshwar and Legend of Rupganj performed better and had the chance of lifting the trophy.
Bangladesh Premier League (BPL)
Two new teams were included in this season, Rajshahi Kings and Khulna Titans while Sylhet Superstar were terminated from the tournament. Dhaka Dynamites who formed the team with many starts from home and abroad clinched the title beating the newcomer Rajshahi kings.
This time the governing body taken a new decision that, they allowed the franchises to sign their desired icons ahead of the players' draft, held in September.
Shakib Al Hasan led Dhaka Dynamites sealed the final beating the Darren Sammy led Rajshahi Kings by 56 runs. Though Rajshahi could not lift the title, they entertained the spectator with their brilliant team effort.
Chittagong Vikings who performed bellow par in the last edition in 2015, this time they did brilliant as they ended the group stage securing the third place. Rangpur Riders also did quite well and their Afghan opener Mohammad Shahzad entertained the fans well enough.
But the performances of the last edition's champion and runner-up were much disappointing. Defending champion Comilla Victorians ended as the sixth team with 10 points while the runner-up of the previous edition Barisal Bulls were seventh.
However, like previous edition, Mahmudullah did amazing job. He led his side Khulna Titans in all aspect. In the maximum matches he led Khulna with a one man show and sealed the second position in the group stage. Mahmudullah conferred two wins to the Titans with two amazing last over magic. And his extra ordinary performance with the bat, bowl and captaincy earned the player of the tournament for him.
