Barishal Division
Durbar Rajshahi
The Bangladesh Premier League 2025 will start with Fortune Barishal taking on Durbar Rajshahi at the Sher-e-Bangla Stadium, Mirpur. Fortune Barishal, the defending champions, had a strong finish last season. They won the title after defeating Comilla Victorians in the final. Barishal had finished third in the league stage but performed brilliantly in the playoffs, winning four matches in a row.
Barishal has kept key players like Tamim Iqbal and Mushfiqur Rahim. Tamim is expected to lead the team again this season.
They have also added Towhid Hridoy to strengthen their batting. On the other side, Durbar Rajshahi is a new team in this year’s competition. They have signed Anamul Haque, who will be a key player for them. However, the team has not yet announced its captain.
Fortune Barishal will look to start strong as they aim to defend their title. Durbar Rajshahi will try to make an immediate impact in their debut season.
Fortune Barishal’s experienced top-order batters provide a stronger and more consistent opening combination compared to Durbar Rajshahi’s less-proven openers.
The betting tip is...
Highest Opening Partnership - Fortune Barishal
61 %
39 %
Barishal DivisionDurbar RajshahiFortune Barishal has picked a strong squad for this season. Towhid Hridoy has joined as a direct signing and will be crucial for their batting. Retained players Tamim Iqbal and Mushfiqur Rahim bring experience and stability. The team has signed foreign stars Kyle Mayers, Dawid Malan, Mohammad Nabi, Faheem Ashraf, Ali Mohammad, and Jahandad Khan to strengthen the lineup.
From the draft, they have added experienced local players like Mahmudullah, Tanvir Islam, Nazmul Hossain Shanto, Ripon Mondol, Ebadot Hossain, Nayeem Hasan, Rishad Hossain, Taijul Islam, Shohidul Islam, and Ariful Islam. Foreign players James Fuller, Pathum Nissanka, and Nandre Burger will also feature in the squad.
The team features several Senior Bangladesh national team players like Hridoy, Tamim, Rahim, Mahmudullah, Shanto, Taijul, and Rishad will provide the home talent.
Rahim, Hridoy and Rishad are the key players.
Predicted Lineup: Tamim Iqbal (c), Towhid Hridoy, Dawid Malan, Mushfiqur Rahim (wk), Mahmudullah, Najmul Shanto, Mohammad Nabi, Rishad Hossain, Tanvir Islam, Nandre Burger, Taijul Islam.
Durbar Rajshahi has signed Anamul Haque Bijoy as a direct signing, and he will be their key player in the tournament. Taskin Ahmed is expected to be named captain, bringing experience to the bowling attack.
From the draft, they have included local players like Jishan Alam, Yasir Ali, Sabbir Hossen, Sanjamul Islam, SM Meherob Hasan, Akbar Ali, Hasan Murad, Md. Shafiul Islam, and Mohor Sheikh. Foreign signings Saad Nasim and Lahiru Samarakoon will add balance to the squad.
Compared to their opponents in the opening match, Durbar Rajshahi has a weaker squad depth but will aim to perform as a cohesive unit. Taskin Ahmed’s leadership and Anamul Haque’s experience will be critical for their success.
Haque, Ahmed and Ali are the key players.
Predicted Lineup: Anamul Haque Bijoy, Jishan Alam, Yasir Ali, Taskin Ahmed (c), SM Meherob Hasan, Sabbir Hossen, Akbar Ali, Saad Nasim, Sanjamul Islam, Lahiru Samarakoon, Hasan Murad.
Fortune Barishal’s opening options are much stronger than Durbar Rajshahi’s. With experienced players like Tamim Iqbal, Towhid Hridoy, and Najmul Hossain Shanto, they have a solid chance of building a steady start in the powerplay. Barishal’s depth in top-order talent ensures flexibility and consistency, which could make their opening pair difficult to break early.
In contrast, Durbar Rajshahi’s openers lack the same level of experience and proven records. This difference in quality at the top order is likely to give Barishal an advantage in setting the tone for the match. This difference at the top could play a major role in shaping the match, giving Barishal an edge in early momentum.
