Durbar Rajshahi has become the focal point of discussion in the ongoing Bangladesh Premier League (BPL), but not for the right reasons. The team’s on-field performance has been disappointing, while off-field controversies add to the turmoil. Issues like payment disputes, players threatening to boycott practice sessions, and the inclusion of relatively unknown foreign players have compounded the team’s struggles.

Wicketkeeper Akbar Ali believes these external issues are affecting their performance on the field. He stated, “To be honest, these things do have an impact. As professionals, we try to perform well, but such distractions are mentally taxing. That being said, it’s no excuse; we haven’t played well.”

In a bid to turn things around, the team management replaced captain Anamul Haque Bijoy with Taskin Ahmed before the last match, despite Bijoy scoring a century in his previous outing. The leadership change, however, didn’t yield the desired result, as Rajshahi collapsed to just 80 runs against Chittagong Kings.

Amid the team’s poor overall performance, individual brilliance from Taskin and Bijoy has stood out. Taskin, with 20 wickets in nine matches, is among the tournament’s leading bowlers, while Bijoy has scored 345 runs at an impressive average of 49.28 in nine matches. Unfortunately, the rest of the squad has failed to deliver noteworthy performances, leaving the team languishing in sixth place on the points table with six points. Rajshahi trails Dhaka Capitals and Khulna Tigers, who also have six points, due to an inferior net run rate. With the playoffs in sight, every match is now a do-or-die battle for the team.

Akbar Ali further remarked, “We have no room for error. We must win every game. Our sole focus has to be on victory.”

Can Rajshahi stage a comeback, or will their BPL journey end in disappointment? Only time will tell.