DHAKA, Feb 4, 2025 (BSS)- In a bid to retain their Bangladesh Premier League (BPL) title, defending champions Fortune Barishal bolstered their strength further by adding New Zealand allrounder James Neesham to their squad today.

Barishal management confirmed Neesham's arrival through their official whatsapp group.

Tamim Iqbal-led Barishal had already sealed BPL final for the second time in a row after crushing Chittagong Kings by nine wickets in the Qualifier-1 game yesterday.

Alongside their local players, their overseas recruits also have been in superb form that raised a question to how they fit Neesham into the squad, that too for just the final game.

Barishal played Dawid Malan, Kyle Mayers, Mohammad Nabi and Mohammad Ali as their four overseas players in the Qualifier-1 game.

Mayers has been an integral part of the team from last season. Even though he left the side midway through the tournament this season to play ILT20 league in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), he returned to play the Qualifier-1 game straightway for Barishal.

He is considered as the designated new ball bowler for Barishal and living up to the reputation, he gave the side a breakthrough in the first over against Chittagong Kings yesterday. Eventually he ended with 2-27 in four overs. Overall he scored 163 runs at strike rate more 180 in five matches and took five wickets. 

Dawid Malan scored 315 runs in eight matches, at a strike rate of 157. He played a valuable 22 ball-34 not out in the Qualifier-1 game. Pacer Mohammad Ali claimed 5-24 in the Qualifier-1 and has been in a nice rhythm.

Only Mohammad Nabi has not been up to the mark, as he took eight wickets and scored 63 runs in 10 matches. The stat itself suggested that going by the performance, Neesham could replace only Nabi, if Barishal want to break the winning combination.