The twelfth season of the Bangladesh Premier League (BPL) concluded several weeks ago, with Rajshahi Warriors triumphing over Chattogram Royals in the final to lift the championship. Despite Chattogram Royals’ defeat, Shoriful Islam emerged as the tournament’s most outstanding player, claiming a record 26 wickets and earning the Player of the Series award. His achievement is historic, as he became the first specialist bowler in BPL history to receive this honour.
In addition to the trophy, Shoriful was awarded 10 lakh taka as prize money. While he did not collect the cash immediately after the final, he made a remarkable gesture of generosity a few days later by donating the entire amount to the ground staff at Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium in Mirpur, recognising their tireless efforts in maintaining the pitch and facilities. A reliable source confirmed the act to Dhaka Post.
Currently, Shoriful is part of the Bangladesh squad for the ongoing ODI series against Pakistan. Although he did not feature in the playing eleven for Wednesday’s opening match, young pacer Nahid Rana seized the opportunity and claimed his first five-wicket haul in ODIs, signalling a promising start to his international career.
BPL Historical Top Performers
Over the years, the BPL has witnessed numerous remarkable performances, both with bat and ball. The table below highlights some of the tournament’s top performers by runs and wickets:
| Player | Team | Runs | Wickets | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Shakib Al Hasan | Khulna Royal Bengals | 280 | 15 | All-round contribution |
| Shakib Al Hasan | Dhaka Gladiators | 329 | 15 | All-round performance |
| Ashar Zaidi | Comilla Victorians | 215 | 17 | All-round display |
| Mahmudullah Riyad | Khulna Titans | 396 | 10 | Leading all-rounder |
| Chris Gayle | Rangpur Riders | 485 | – | Leading run-scorer |
| Shakib Al Hasan | Dhaka Dynamites | 301 | 23 | Exceptional all-round form |
| Andre Russell | Rajshahi Royals | 225 | 14 | Crucial all-round input |
| Shakib Al Hasan | Fortune Barishal | 284 | 16 | Consistent performer |
| Najmul Hossain Shanto | Sylhet Strikers | 516 | – | Highest run-scorer |
| Tamim Iqbal | Fortune Barishal | 492 | – | Strong batting performance |
| Mehedi Hasan Miraz | Khulna Tigers | 355 | 13 | Balanced all-round display |
| Shoriful Islam | Chattogram Royals | – | 26 | Tournament-leading wickets |
Shoriful’s selfless act of donating his prize money has won him admiration beyond the cricket field. His achievement underlines not only his skill as a bowler but also his humility and respect for the unsung heroes who support the sport. This gesture has set a fine example, highlighting the importance of recognising contributions beyond just runs and wickets.