Fortune Barishal, a franchise cricket team, holds a distinguished and vibrant record as it represents the Barishal Division in the esteemed Bangladesh Premier League (BPL). The team, which was initially formed in 2012 for the inaugural season of the Bangladesh Premier League (BPL) under the name Barisal Burners (Bengali: বরিশাল বার্নার্স), achieved notable prominence by making it to the finals in the first season. In spite of its dissolution in 2013 subsequent to the conclusion of the second BPL season, the Burners’ enduring impact permeated the annals of the league’s chronicles.
In the year 2015, the franchise experienced a revitalization as it came under the ownership of Axiom Technologies, subsequently undergoing a rebranding process leading to its new identity as the Bulls. In pursuit of reestablishing its previous triumph, the team endeavored under the guidance of prominent individuals including Graham Ford, Mahmudullah Riyad, Dav Whatmore, and Mushfiqur Rahim. Nevertheless, their omission from the fifth season of the BPL ensued due to a convergence of financial challenges.
The team demonstrated remarkable perseverance and unwavering determination as they achieved a resounding comeback in the 2021-2022 season, following a change in ownership. Fortune Barishal, presently recognized as such, persevere in their cricketing expedition within the Bangabandhu Premier League (BPL), poised to confront novel obstacles and fabricate indelible instances on the field.
Fortune Barishal Homeground
The home ground of Fortune Barishal is the Barishal Divisional Stadium, which is alternatively referred to as Abdur Rab Serniabad Stadium. This particular sporting venue, situated within the Barishal Division, abides as the team’s stronghold and serves as the quintessential stage for their competitive endeavors in the prestigious Bangladesh Premier League.
The stadium serves as a venue for the high-energy cricket matches of the Fortune Barishal team, while simultaneously representing the significant status and regard of the Barishal Division within the cricket domain. In this particular arena, athletes aptly exhibit their proficiency and unwavering resolve, bolstered by the enthusiastic and ardent support of their devoted spectators. Every match held at the Barishal Divisional Stadium adds to the illustrious cricketing heritage of Fortune Barishal, signifying the emergence of fresh episodes within their ongoing narrative.
History of Fortune Barishal
The emergence of Fortune Barishal can be attributed to its establishment by the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) in 2012, within the framework of the Bangladesh Premier League (BPL), a cricket championship adhering to the Twenty20 format. The debut tournament, hosted in February of the respective year, showcased six participating teams, each representing different divisions of Bangladesh, including Barisal.
In January 2012, an auction was convened at the Radisson Hotel in Dhaka with the purpose of facilitating the allocation of franchises for the aforementioned teams. The franchise located in Barisal, known as Barisal Burners at its inception, underwent a subsequent rebranding and metamorphosed into Fortune Barishal. ALIF SSL Sports Holdings Ltd, a subsidiary of the ALIF Group, procured the franchise for a considerable sum of US$1.01 million. This acquisition signified the minimal cost incurred during the auction.
From thenceforth, the Barisal Burners commenced their voyage in the cricketing realm under the aegis of the Bangladesh Premier League (BPL), traversing a series of transformations pertaining to nomenclature and proprietorship. In spite of these aforementioned changes, the team has consistently maintained its integral role within the BPL’s fabric, as it proudly represents the Barisal Division and contributes significantly to the overall sporting grandeur of the competition.
Fortune Barishal Seasons Results
| Season | Key Events | Final Position |
|---|---|---|
| 2012 | Biggest buy was Chris Gayle; semi-finals qualification; defeat to Dhaka Gladiators in the final. | Runners-up |
| 2013 | Poor campaign; loss of Chris Gayle; inclusion of Sunil Narine. | 6th (did not qualify for playoffs) |
| 2015 | Rebranded as Barisal Bulls; return of Chris Gayle; reached finals but lost to Comilla Victorians. | Runners-up |
| 2016 | Signed Mushfiqur Rahim as their icon player; struggled due to lack of big names and issues in bowling department. | Last in the league stage |
The trajectory of Fortune Barishal, formerly recognized as Barisal Burners and Barisal Bulls, has been characterized by fluctuating levels of achievement and hardships. In their inaugural season of 2012, the team achieved the honorable position of runners-up, owing to outstanding performances by Chris Gayle. In spite of previous successes, the team encountered a downturn in the year 2013, resulting in an unfavorable outcome in the league standings.
The Barisal Bulls, following their rebranding in 2015, demonstrated a substantial resurgence with a well-rounded team. Notably, Chris Gayle played a pivotal role in motivating their performance. The team successfully progressed to the finals; however, regrettably, they fell short of claiming the championship, concluding the competition as the second-place finishers once again.
The 2016 season proved to be a challenging period for the team, as they encountered difficulties in acquiring prominent players similar to those obtained in the preceding year. Consequently, this lack of high-profile signings ultimately led to a disheartening outcome of finishing in last place. Despite the prevailing fluctuations in their performance, the Fortune Barishal team persistently showcases an unwavering dedication to the sport, displaying an optimistic anticipation for improved outcomes in subsequent seasons.
FAQ
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Conclusions
In summary, the team known as Fortune Barishal, previously referred to as Barisal Burners and Barisal Bulls, has garnered noteworthy achievements in the Bangladesh Premier League (BPL) since its establishment in 2012. The trajectory of their endeavors has been marked by noteworthy peaks, exemplified by their accomplishment of attaining the finals in both 2012 and 2015, as well as formidable troughs, illustrated by their substandard performance in the 2013 and 2016 campaigns.
Despite the fluctuating trends, Fortune Barishal has consistently demonstrated its dedication to achieving excellence in the sport of cricket. The team’s tenacity is clearly depicted through their capacity to overcome adversities, as exemplified by their robust resurgence during the 2015 season subsequent to a lackluster performance in 2013.
During the course of their participation, Fortune Barishal has made substantial contributions to the Bangladesh Premier League (BPL), augmenting its intricacies and invigorating the overall atmosphere of the tournament. As the emergence of new seasons comes into view, ardent enthusiasts and adherents eagerly anticipate the forthcoming performances of the team, while highlighting its ongoing involvement in Bangladesh’s esteemed cricketing extravaganza.