Ariful Islam and Saif Hassan Shine with the Bat in Nepal Premier League

Bangladesh’s Ariful Islam and Saif Hassan are making an impression with the bat in the third edition of the Nepal Premier League (NPL). So far, the two have stood out among the Bangladeshi players participating in the tournament. Meanwhile, experienced campaigner Shakib Al Hasan and the other Bangladeshi cricketers will be looking to make their mark in the remaining matches.

Launched in 2024, this edition of the Nepal Premier League is attracting greater attention than its previous two editions. The tournament received recognition from the International Cricket Council (ICC) on October 16. A total of 10 Bangladeshi cricketers are representing five franchises in the third edition.

Ariful Islam has been in impressive form for Karnali Yaks. He has scored 119 runs in three matches, including 44 off 22 balls against Kathmandu, 32 off 12 balls against Biratnagar and 43 off 29 balls against Janakpur. He has maintained a strike rate of 188.88 and currently ranks third among the tournament’s leading run-scorers.

Janakpur Bolts opener Saif Hassan has also shown consistency with the bat. He has scored 112 runs in three matches, including an impressive 71 off 47 balls against Biratnagar Kings. Saif has also contributed to his team with the ball.

Jishan Alam and Akbar Ali are playing alongside Ariful for Karnali Yaks. Jishan scored seven runs off five balls in his debut match. Akbar, the former captain of Bangladesh’s Under-19 World Cup-winning team, has featured in two matches so far. Both players will be hoping to deliver stronger performances in the upcoming games.

Shakib Al Hasan, Sheikh Mehedi Hasan and Mohammad Saifuddin are representing Pokhara Avengers. Shakib has scored just 26 runs in three matches but has taken four wickets with the ball. In his latest match against Lumbini Lions, he scored three runs without taking a wicket.

Mehedi Hasan has also yet to meet expectations with the bat. He scored 13 runs off 24 balls in the latest match against Lumbini. Meanwhile, Bangladeshi supporters are waiting for Mohammad Saifuddin to produce a strong performance. Pokhara will be hoping for more significant contributions from all three experienced players in the remaining fixtures.

Bangladesh pacer Ripon Mondol is playing for Kathmandu Gorkhas, while Parvez Hossain Emon represents Janakpur Bolts and Shamim Hossain plays for Lumbini Lions. These three players have also yet to demonstrate their full potential, but they still have opportunities to prove themselves in the remaining matches.

Overall, Ariful and Saif have been Bangladesh’s most prominent performers with the bat in the tournament so far. Bangladeshi supporters will be hoping that the other players also find their rhythm as the competition progresses.