BPL 5th edition kicks off today

The 5th edition of the Bangladesh Premier League (BPL) T20 will start at Sylhet International Cricket Stadium (SICS) in Sylhet today (Saturday), reports UNB.

Defending champions Dhaka Dynamites will take on Surma Sixers Sylhet in the opener at 2pm. A total of seven teams will play in the 39-day tournament.

The 4th highest run-getter --971 runs -- in BPL T20 and the all-rounder in all three formats of cricket Shakib Al Hasan will lead the star -studded Dhaka Dynamites against relatively young side Surma Sixers Sylhet. Surma Sixers, returned with new franchise after missing out the last edition, will be led by all-rounder Nasir Hossain.

In another opening day's match, defending runners-up Rajshahi Kings will play against Rangpur Riders at the same venue, starting at 7pm.

The cricket fraternity will have a chance to witness the rivalry between Bangladesh Test side captain Mushfiqur Rahim and ODI captain Mashrafe Bin Mortaza.

Mashrafe, the most successful leader who clinched title twice for Dhaka franchise (2012 and 2013) and maiden title for Comilla Victorians (2016) under his captaincy, will lead the Rangpur Riders.

On the other side, defending runners-up Rajshahi Kings have experienced Mushfiqur Rahim, who is the current highest run-getter with 1172 from last four editions.

Khulna Titans, Chittagong Vikings and Comilla Victorians are the three other teams who will play in the tournament involving 46 matches. Only five foreign players can be fit at a time in a game in the XI as per rules of BPL which was four in the last two editions.

Comilla franchise icon and country's dashing opener Tamim Iqbal and Rajshahi franchise icon pace sensation Mustafizur Rahman will miss the start of the tournament for at least first two weeks as both are now recovering from their injuries.

SICS will host the first eight matches before the tournament moves to the Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium (SBNCS) in the city for the next 16 battles. The Zahur Ahmed Chowdhury Stadium, Chittagong, will host the next 10 matches. The remaining 12 matches will be held in SBNCS.

BPL official broadcast partner satellite channel Gazi TV will telecast all the matches live.