BPL set to begin amid off-field turmoil

The 12th season of the Bangladesh Premier League (BPL) is set to begin on Friday amid persistent off-field turmoil, as a series of organisational lapses and unresolved administrative issues overshadow the build-up to the country’s flagship T20 competition.

Concerns over team preparations, venue readiness, player contracts and overall governance have once again drawn criticism, placing the tournament under renewed scrutiny even before the first ball is bowled.

There has been no captains’ photo shoot, no official trophy unveiling and, with the tournament about to begin, even the trophy itself has yet to be finalised. The title sponsor has also not been announced — a situation rarely seen in established franchise leagues.

The BPL has long carried a reputation for off-field issues and despite changes at board and governing council level, many of those concerns remain. This season begins with familiar questions about planning, stability and credibility.

Four new franchises will take part on the opening day at Sylhet International Stadium. Sylhet Titans face Rajshahi Warriors in the first match, followed by Chattogram Royals against Noakhali Express.

The opening fixture was originally scheduled to start at 2 PM but has been pushed back to 3 PM after the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) scaled down its planned opening ceremony.

A brief pre-match programme will be held, with a cultural performance during the interval between the two matches.

The BCB had initially planned a large opening event before deciding against it, citing the overall situation in the country. At one stage, officials said there would be no ceremony at all.

Chattogram Royals, one of the teams in action on the opening day, underwent a change in ownership just 24 hours before the tournament began. The original owners withdrew, citing financial difficulties, forcing the BCB to step in and take responsibility for the franchise. A new head coach was appointed on the eve of the competition.

Further disruption followed when Noakhali Express head coach Khaled Mahmud and assistant coach Talha Jubayer left a training session in protest over what they described as mismanagement within the team. Mahmud said he was unwilling to work under the existing conditions, while Jubayer described this season as the worst-organised BPL he had experienced.

Last season was also marked by controversy, prompting assurances from organisers that reforms would be introduced. However, the build-up to this year’s tournament has again raised doubts about whether those promises have been fulfilled.

The 2025 BPL will be contested by six teams, with franchise ownership awarded for five years. The BCB said owners were selected following checks on financial strength, professional standards and commitment to the game, but the late ownership change at Chattogram has cast doubt on that process.

The league has moved from a draft system to an auction this year, with mixed results. While a small number of established overseas players are involved, helped by the cancellation of the Lanka Premier League and the availability of Pakistani players, many signings are relatively unknown.

Concerns have also been raised over some domestic selections, placing added scrutiny on the BCB’s anti-corruption and integrity units.

Nine players have been excluded from this year’s competition following recommendations by the BCB’s Integrity Unit, led by Alex Marshall, based on the findings of an independent investigation. Officers from the Criminal Investigation Department have also been attached to teams as an added safeguard.

Organisers hope the focus will now shift to the cricket itself. The decision to stage most matches in Sylhet and Chattogram, rather than Mirpur, has been welcomed, offering conditions that could aid preparation for the T20 World Cup later this year.

Even so, expectations around the overall quality of cricket remain cautious, particularly given the limited number of high-profile overseas players.

On the eve of the tournament, BPL Governing Council Member Secretary and BCB Director Iftekhar Rahman acknowledged the pressure on organisers.

“We are under pressure,” he said.