The twelfth edition of the Bangladesh Premier League (BPL) concluded with Rajshahi Warriors lifting the trophy after defeating Chattogram Royals in a thrilling final. While the Royals fell short of the title, their star pacer Shoriful Islam claimed the Player of the Series award, taking a tournament-high 26 wickets. This achievement marked a historic first, as Shoriful became the first specialist bowler in BPL history to win the accolade.
Alongside the trophy, Shoriful earned 10 lakh taka in prize money. Rather than keeping the cash for himself, he demonstrated remarkable generosity: a few days after receiving the money, he donated the entire sum to the ground staff at Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium, Mirpur, acknowledging their hard work and dedication behind the scenes. A source confirmed the gesture to Dhaka Post, noting that it reflected Shoriful’s humility and deep respect for the sport’s unsung heroes.
Currently, Shoriful is part of the Bangladesh squad for the ongoing ODI series against Pakistan. He did not play in Wednesday’s opening match, but young pacer Nahid Rana made headlines by taking his first five-wicket haul in ODIs, showcasing the emerging talent within the national side.
BPL’s Most Outstanding Performers
The BPL has a rich history of exceptional individual performances. Below is a table highlighting some of the most notable achievements in runs and wickets across previous tournaments:
| Player | Team | Runs | Wickets | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Shakib Al Hasan | Khulna Royal Bengals | 280 | 15 | All-round performance |
| Shakib Al Hasan | Dhaka Gladiators | 329 | 15 | All-round contribution |
| Ashar Zaidi | Comilla Victorians | 215 | 17 | All-round display |
| Mahmudullah Riyad | Khulna Titans | 396 | 10 | Leading all-rounder |
| Chris Gayle | Rangpur Riders | 485 | – | Top run-scorer |
| Shakib Al Hasan | Dhaka Dynamites | 301 | 23 | Exceptional all-round form |
| Andre Russell | Rajshahi Royals | 225 | 14 | Crucial all-round contribution |
| Shakib Al Hasan | Fortune Barishal | 284 | 16 | Consistent performance |
| Najmul Hossain Shanto | Sylhet Strikers | 516 | – | Leading run-scorer |
| Tamim Iqbal | Fortune Barishal | 492 | – | Strong batting contribution |
| Mehedi Hasan Miraz | Khulna Tigers | 355 | 13 | Balanced all-round display |
| Shoriful Islam | Chattogram Royals | – | 26 | Tournament-leading wickets |
Shoriful Islam’s achievement goes beyond statistics. By donating his prize money, he has set an example of sportsmanship and humility, showing that cricket’s true heroes extend far beyond the players on the pitch. His record-breaking performance combined with his altruism has earned him admiration both on and off the field, making him a role model for aspiring cricketers across Bangladesh.