Previous record broken right from start in BPL

In the 11th edition of the Bangladesh Premier League (BPL), only four matches have been played so far, but the tournament has already set a new record. Batters have been scoring at an astonishing rate, hitting fours and sixes like never before in previous editions. A total of 1,384 runs have been scored across these four matches, marking the highest tally for the first four games in BPL history. Local batters have been striking at over 200, with two team scores of 200 (200 and 203) already on the board. In the opening match, Durbar Rajshahi's Yasir Ali Rabbi narrowly missed a century, falling just six runs short due to a shortage of balls.

Looking back at the first four matches of the past ten BPL seasons, the highest total runs were 1,360 in the opening season of 2012, a record that stood until December 31, 2024. The highest score in that season was 206. In the 2013 season, two scores over 200 were recorded in the first four matches, although one inning ended with just 97 runs. However, this season has already surpassed all previous records, with a total of 1,384 runs after four matches.

The first four matches of previous BPL seasons had the following total runs: 1,258 in 2015; 1,223 in 2017; 1,081 in 2019; 1,105 in 2022; 1,117 in 2023; and 1,162 in 2024. However, the 2016 season did not have any matches in the first four due to rain delays. Most BPL seasons, except for 2017, began at the Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium in Mirpur; the 2017 season started at the Sylhet International Cricket Stadium.

Each BPL season has often sparked discussions about the Mirpur pitch, with criticism about its uneven bounce and the ball not coming onto the bat well. However, this year, both local and foreign batters are performing exceptionally well on this pitch. The conditions are favorable for batting, while bowlers are also receiving some assistance. It's a well-prepared sporting pitch, and in the first four matches of this season, the total runs have increased by over 19% compared to the opening matches of last year.

Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) president Faruk Ahmed explained the unique pitch conditions at Mirpur, saying, "There's a small story behind this. During the West Indies series in Saint Kitts, if you look at the statistics, we scored 322 and 295. The pitch felt like it was made of cement — we could have played with our eyes closed. At that moment, I realized that when the pitch is good, bowlers learn how to bowl properly, and batters know exactly how to approach it. I thought that for a four-day match, we could have a bouncy pitch, but for T20, it needed to be a good pitch."

"I told the ground staff that this time, the pitch needed to be in good condition. Now, the batters have good movement, and there’s about two and a half millimeters of grass on the surface. These may seem like small details, but I ensure they're done properly. And as you can see, it's paying off," he added.

T20 cricket is all about scoring runs, and with fours and sixes dominating the game, the excitement of this year’s BPL is evident right from the start. Players are delivering thrilling performances, generating an electric atmosphere on the field that is attracting more fans to the tournament. One of the most celebrated initiatives by the BCB to enhance the excitement of BPL is the preparation of sporting wickets.

However, there have been some controversies, including ticketing issues in Mirpur and players not receiving their salaries prior to the tournament, which could lead to complications. Nevertheless, as the tournament moves forward, it is anticipated that the BPL will continue to break records and grow in popularity.