There is no king to crown, there is an empty throne, and as we’ve seen on opening day in Mirpur, what would be the BPL’s succession battle is now a bloody contest.
It feels disorienting, does it? A BPL season without Tamim Iqbal is akin to a Dhakaiya wedding without the biryani, technically operational, but emotionally desolate. However, while Tamim Iqbal concentrates on getting better, the 2025-26 edition of the BPL will lose the one player who is always a safe bet when you need a run to get out of trouble. But as they say, nature abhors a vacuum, and so too does cricket abhor a scoreless sheet. The race for the Golden Bat isn’t just about how many runs players score in the 2025-26 BPL; rather, it’s about which player will replace the substantial void created by the loss of the best player at the top of the batting order.
Shanto’s Century Redefines the Captaincy Narrative
Najmul Hossain Shanto
We need to face the elephant in the room, or rather the tiger from Rajshahi, Najmul Hossain Shanto. He is one player who elicits much polarized opinions, but he has used his unbeaten 101* in just 60 balls versus the Sylhet Titans to make a strong case for himself as an authority. The history of captains in the BPL has stifled elite batsmen, forcing them into shell-like defensive modes. However, it appears that Shanto is using the captaincy to give him license to dominate.
By dismantling the Titans on Day 1, he hasn’t just put 101 runs on the board; he has established a psychological edge. He is striking at a rate that suggests he isn’t interested in just anchoring; he wants to dominate. If he maintains this “see ball, hit ball” clarity amidst the tactical noise of leadership, the Rajshahi Warriors have a potential 500-run season bankable in their skipper.
Mohammad Naim, Tanzid Hasan, the Accumulator Over the Aggressor
Mohammad Naim and Tanzid Hasan
While everyone loves a highlight reel, BPL history teaches us a boring truth: the “accumulators” usually walk away with the awards. This is where Mohammad Naim (Chattogram Royals) holds the ace. Coming off a 511-run season with the Khulna Tigers, Naim is the cricketing equivalent of a blue-chip stock, not always exciting, but reliable.
Whereas his Rajshahi Warriors teammate Tanzid Hasan had a riskier approach to scoring 485 runs for the team last season as opposed to Naim’s very conservative, low-risk style of play. While Tanzid can be the one who gets you off to a flying start in the power play and can get you that big win, Naim is your player to get you those stats, which will add up to win you the title by the time you reach the 15th over when the ball has slowed down significantly at Mirpur. He may not have the flair of the Warriors’ openers; however, with his grinding it out on slow Mirpur surfaces, he is the statistical favorite of all the players to come into the post-Tamim era.
Global Franchise Commitments Threaten Hales’ Campaign Longevity
Alex Hales
We cannot ignore the “Mercenary Factor.” Alex Hales, now donning the Dhaka Capitals jersey, is arguably the most skilled T20 operator in this list. On pure talent, he should eclipse every local batter. However, the BPL has a notorious history of foreign stars jetting off mid-season for the ILT20 or SA20.
If he plays the full 12-match league stage, his aggressive ceiling is higher than Shanto’s or Naim’s. But availability is the best ability. Unless Dhaka Capitals have locked him down with an ironclad “No Objection Certificate” (NOC) for the entire window, betting on Hales is a gamble. Litton Das, his teammate, offers a safer, albeit more volatile, local alternative for the Capitals, ensuring they have coverage if the Englishman departs.
FAQ
1. What was the standout performance on the opening day of BPL 2025-26?
Najmul Hossain Shanto (Rajshahi Warriors) scored a brilliant unbeaten 101* off 60 balls against the Sylhet Titans.
2. Why is Tamim Iqbal not playing in the BPL this season?
The league icon is missing the tournament as he focuses on his recovery following a heart attack suffered earlier in the year.
3. Who was the top run-scorer in the previous BPL season (2024-25)?
Mohammad Naim topped the charts with 511 runs playing for the Khulna Tigers; he is representing the Chattogram Royals this season.
Disclaimer: This blog post reflects the author’s personal insights and analysis. Readers are encouraged to consider the perspectives shared and draw their own conclusions.
Step into the world of cricket with JeetBuzz News—where expert opinions, trending Blogs, and behind-the-scenes insights meet all your favorite topics. Stay informed, stay entertained, and never miss the stories shaping the cricketing world—only on JeetBuzz News!
