Dhaka, Barisal count on Sangakkara, Gayle

To compare Chris Gayle and Kumar Sangakkara in T20s might seem unfair but there's little doubt about how important they are to their respective sides, Dhaka Dynamites and Barisal Bulls, in this season's Bangladesh Premier League. Sangakkara leads Dhaka, while Gayle will appear for Barisal Bulls for the first time on Sunday and their presence has also served to boost the profile of the tournament.

Among the foreign players, Sangakkara is the BPL's second-highest scorer this season and seems to be Dhaka's best bet if they are to finish the league stage at a stronger position. Behind the stumps he has not looked any less sprightly and, as captain, he has given confidence to some of the uncapped local players.

Dhaka, however, are in fourth place with eight points and while they are not out of the race for the knockouts stage, they would have liked a more assured place after the Chittagong leg. Sangakkara admitted the team could have had four extra points from their last two games, but were thwarted by Evin Lewis and their own play against Comilla Victorians. He has urged the local players to step up.

"There are a couple of games we probably should have won against Comilla and Barisal," Sangakkara said. "The magnificent innings from Lewis took the game away from us and a few mistakes cost us the game against Comilla. In T20 cricket, you just need to get back on the horse and go out and play positive cricket.

"I am pretty happy with the form I am in, and the runs I have scored. I think we have enough good batsmen in the side. We just need some of the local boys to fire and I have all the confidence in them. I think they are some of the best in Bangladesh. We have to give them an opportunity."

Barisal, meanwhile, are in second place with five wins in six games, and have presented Gayle with a better scenario than the one Sangakkara is facing. Gayle, who underwent back surgery earlier this year, will be playing his first match since July and was happy that he will be under less pressure after Barisal's early progress in the competition.

"It is good to be back (in Bangladesh). I always do well when I play here and the team is also doing well. So it's a bit of pressure off me," Gayle said. "The game will be my first since I returned from the injury so I am looking forward to the game tomorrow. I will try and gain same momentum from my personal point of view and at the same time, the team is second place so that's more important.

"We need to make give ourselves a chance to reach the final. I have practised with the team today after such a long time, the preparation went well today and now I'm looking forward to the game tomorrow.

"I am doing okay. I played my last match which I think was in July in the CPL. I need to come back slowly as well. I am looking forward to entertain the fans as well. I don't know what's going to happen in the first game but at the same time I am going to enjoy it and be happy to be back in the middle again. Hopefully will have a longer career ahead, entertain people and go around the world as much as possible."

Gayle comes at a time when the Barisal have almost solved the top-order problem they faced earlier in the tournament. Lewis, who was only given a chance in Chittagong, has shown the way with his explosive style, particularly his century against Dhaka. Gayle said his presence was an added advantage to the team, already well-served by Lewis and captain Mahmudullah.

"I haven't seen the game on television but I have been following the scores on the internet," Gayle said. "The guys have been doing well and the bowlers are winning most of the games. Like I said the batters - Lewis got a hundred which is fantastic from an opening point of view. I will hope that will continue and hope that there will be more big centuries for the team and himself.

"I am sure we have the match winners, the captain Mahmudullah, he has been in the international side and brings in the experience in the team. I have just added to the team to make it a plus for the team, I am looking forward to share my views and experience with the guys, be in the dressing room with new guys, something new for me. Looking forward to start from scratch."

Meanwhile, Sangakkara's impact can be seen in the way he interacts with players during training, at the hotel and during matches. He has been encouraging of players like Mustafizur Rahman and Nasir Hossain, and has backed Nasir despite his lack of form in this season's BPL.

"He has done well with bat and ball but I am sure he would liked to have scored a bit more runs and finished a game or two. He is a good player. As an icon player I know how he takes pride in how he trains and how he goes about his performance in the match. I have absolutely no issues with Nasir. I think he is one of the best players in Bangladesh. We are very, very happy to have him," Sangakkara said of Nasir.