The upcoming Bangladesh Premier League (BPL) season, which is supposed to begin on December 27, is amidst confusion and uncertainty. The newly formed Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) is yet to announce the Chairman of the Governing Council and the Secretary of the Bangladesh Premier League.
The positions of president and secretary of the tournament’s Governing Council have been vacant since the departure of Sheikh Sohel and Ismail Haider Mallick. He left the country following the resignation of former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina from the Awami League government.
Uncertainty clouds Bangladesh Premier League 2024
The cricket board is facing a tight deadline ahead of the player draft scheduled for October 14. The BCB is struggling to fill the two vacant positions on the Governing Council and finalize the names of the seven teams that will participate in the tournament with 72 hours left. the event.
Three teams from the previous edition of BPL have walked away
Three teams from the previous edition of the Bangladesh Premier League have withdrawn from the upcoming season. Four-time champions Comilla Victorians decided not to participate in the BPL, while Durdanto Dhaka also decided to withdraw.
According to the report, Chattogram Challengers officials stated that they were not allowed to compete in the BPL 2024. They claimed that the new board chairman Faruque Ahmed has not given them a fair opportunity.
“Although the BCB boss has had several meetings with the potential new owners, as well as some old ones, it is understood that the list of participating teams is not approved, as some of them have not yet made the necessary payments to participate in the tournament,” said a Cricbuzz report.
Mashrafe Mortaza placed in B grade for the next player draft
Former Bangladesh national captain Mashrafe Mortaza has been placed in Grade B for the upcoming player draft. The 41-year-old has not played competitive cricket in recent times. He had taken a break during last year’s BPL season to focus on his political responsibilities ahead of the national elections in January.
BCB officials said they decided to place Mashrafe Mortaza in Grade B as a mark of respect. They also stated that they have spoken to Mashrafe about his place in the player draft. The report added that there could be one or two adjustments to player categories if necessary.
“We have spoken to Mashrafe about his place in the player draft. The board could make one or two changes in the player category if required,” a BCB official told Cricbuzz.
A total of 188 players have been placed in six groups for the draft. Category A and B each include 12 players, while Category C has 22 players. Categories D, E and F are made up of 28, 51 and 63 players, respectively.
Category A has the highest price limit for players at Tk 60 lacs, followed by Category B at Tk 40 lacs, Category C at Tk 25 lacs, Category D at Tk 20 lacs, Category E at Tk 15 lacs. and Category F at Tk 10 lacs.
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