Inconsistent Khulna often a one-man show
Khulna Titans will need to sort out their batting and stop being reliant on one player if they are to go further in future BPLs
Mohammad Isam
08-Dec-2016
Mahmudullah bailed Khulna out more than once and was the team's standout performer • BCB
Tournament overview
Most often, either captain Mahmudullah delivered or Khulna Titans fell away in their first season as a BPL franchise. He scored 396 runs, a whopping 193 more than the next highest scorer, Ariful Haque, and was the only consistent performer for the team.
Most often, either captain Mahmudullah delivered or Khulna Titans fell away in their first season as a BPL franchise. He scored 396 runs, a whopping 193 more than the next highest scorer, Ariful Haque, and was the only consistent performer for the team.
Khulna couldn't find a rhythm in the tournament: they didn't win more than two matches in a row and always had to wait for their captain to power them. In a team game, it is unfair to rely on the captain.
Mahmudullah started the tournament by bowling those two amazing last overs in which he successfully defended seven and six runs against Rajshahi Kings and Chittagong Vikings respectively. In the other wins, Shafiul Islam and Junaid Khan played important roles too, but they were regularly required to defend low totals.
Khulna tried seven different opening partnerships in 14 matches but none of them could put together a 50-run stand. Their batting just didn't work and in the process also got the lowest-ever BPL total of 44 runs.
Mahmudullah faced repeated questions about their batting line-up while there were days when their fielding didn't back their bowling attack either.
High point
After they managed to beat Rajshahi in their first game by three runs, nobody expected them to do a similar thing against Chittagong in their next game, having made a lower total. But Mahmudullah once again provided last-over magic with the ball.
After they managed to beat Rajshahi in their first game by three runs, nobody expected them to do a similar thing against Chittagong in their next game, having made a lower total. But Mahmudullah once again provided last-over magic with the ball.
Low point
Rangpur Riders' spin attack sunk them to 44 all out, the lowest total in the BPL. They had no answer to deliveries from Sohag Gazi, Shahid Afridi and Arafat Sunny that spun and skidded when delivered in the line of the stumps.
Rangpur Riders' spin attack sunk them to 44 all out, the lowest total in the BPL. They had no answer to deliveries from Sohag Gazi, Shahid Afridi and Arafat Sunny that spun and skidded when delivered in the line of the stumps.
Top of the class
While the likes of Junaid and Shafiul took 20 and 18 wickets respectively, they won most of their matches because Mahmudullah hung around with the bat till a crucial point. There was always panic in the batting line-up before and after him.
While the likes of Junaid and Shafiul took 20 and 18 wickets respectively, they won most of their matches because Mahmudullah hung around with the bat till a crucial point. There was always panic in the batting line-up before and after him.
Under-par performer
Nicholas Pooran's T20 batting average wasn't great before the BPL, but what attracted the Khulna management was his 150-plus strike-rate. But, in this tournament, he batted at a strike-rate of 117.93 in 12 games. Khulna were expecting much more from this exciting talent.
Nicholas Pooran's T20 batting average wasn't great before the BPL, but what attracted the Khulna management was his 150-plus strike-rate. But, in this tournament, he batted at a strike-rate of 117.93 in 12 games. Khulna were expecting much more from this exciting talent.
Tip for 2017
Khulna were one of the quieter teams in the tournament off the field, hardly raising an eyebrow. They would do well to continue in this manner as they build towards next year's BPL, staying way from any hype and keeping their focus on building a stronger squad.
Khulna were one of the quieter teams in the tournament off the field, hardly raising an eyebrow. They would do well to continue in this manner as they build towards next year's BPL, staying way from any hype and keeping their focus on building a stronger squad.
Mohammad Isam is ESPNcricinfo's Bangladesh correspondent. @isam84