The Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) has decided not to organize the Bangladesh Premier League (BPL) this year. The country's highest governing body of cricket has primarily made this decision to avoid organizing a rushed tournament. The BCB has hinted at bringing back the BPL only after everything is properly organized.
On Saturday, August 29, the owners of three franchises from the previous season—Rajshahi Warriors, Dhaka Capitals, and Rangpur Riders—held a meeting with BCB President Tamim Iqbal. These three franchises expressed their consent to the BCB's decision.
After the meeting, Rangpur Riders CEO Ishtiaq Sadek said, 'The market situation is getting so bad day by day that it will get even worse. Therefore, rather than just holding a nominal BPL where we make a commitment to pay 30 lakh taka but ultimately do not pay the player 15 lakh taka, do not pick up the phone, and disappear, it is better to take some time and do it under a good model.'
He further said, 'January has passed and it is now about seven or eight months later, and we still owe remuneration to some of our local and international players. This is because the sponsors who had contracts with us did not pay the remunerations according to their commitments.'
Dhaka Capitals CEO Atique Fahad said, 'The BCB has said that a new BPL model will be created and we will be given at least four to five months of time so that we can fulfill their criteria. If BPL happens the way it did in the last two years, we will not stay.'
He added, 'If a new model comes for BPL, we will want to stay. The BCB president has said BPL will definitely take place, but he is asking for time. Tamim Bhai wants to create a good model to increase the quality of BPL. We are willing to give him time.'
Moksedul Kamal Babu, CEO of the previous season's champions Rajshahi Warriors, said, 'Of course we want BPL on the field. There needs to be continuity in the league. However, the problems that existed need to be resolved as well. A good model needs to be created so that the BCB, franchises, and players all benefit.'
