Tamim questions wisdom behind short boundaries in BPL

Fortune Barishal captain Tamim Iqbal has questioned the wisdom behind preparing small boundaries in the ongoing Bangladesh Premier League, saying that since the wickets have been batting-friendly, bigger boundaries would have made for better contests between bat and ball.

Tamim scored an unbeaten 48-ball 86 yesterday to guide his side to a seven-wicket win against Durbar Rajshahi in Sylhet, in the process earning the man of the match award.

The earlier game in the day between Rangpur Riders and Sylhet Strikers– the first at the Sylhet International Cricket Stadium – saw a BPL record of 31 sixes hit by the batters.

The matches in both Dhaka and Sylhet have so far been high-scoring, something which the spectators have liked. However, a key reason behind the run-fest could be the truncated boundaries, according to Tamim.

“The way grounds have been prepared is very good. What I would like to see are bigger boundaries. I don’t know why we are playing with 58-60 metre boundaries when there is available space. 65-70 metre boundaries are seen in international cricket, which gives the bowlers some chance,” Tamim said at the post-match presentation.

In Mirpur, the boundary for right-handed batters towards square-leg was only 58 metres, at fine leg it was 56 metres, and so was towards third man. The cover boundary was 60 metres while at long -on and long off, the boundaries were 68 metres. The straight boundary was the longest – 71 metres.

Boundaries at the Sylhet venue are presumably even shorter, with one 52-metre hit on Monday clearing the ropes with ease.

Tamim believes boundaries should be increased to make this BPL an even contest between bat and ball.

“The wickets are so good now…! Credit must be given to the curators. They have made great wickets. But when the wicket is this good, the boundary should be increased, especially if there is room. Then there is a chance for the bowlers too,” Tamim opined.

“Nothing for the bowlers at the moment. The top brass who make the decisions, I hope and pray, are listening to me and will push the boundaries back a little,” the veteran batter added.

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