The Bangladesh Premier League is ready to return later this month. The new season will begin on 26 December in Sylhet. The tournament will start without an opening ceremony, as the planned programme at the Sher e Bangla National Stadium in Mirpur on 24 December has been called off.
Ahead of the start, the organisers have confirmed the match officials for the competition. A total of 10 umpires will take charge this season. Eight are from Bangladesh, while two come from abroad.
The BPL will have four match referees. The confirmed officials are Akhtar Ahmed Shipper, Neeyamur Rashid Rahul, Selim, and former ICC elite umpire Simon Taufel. An official from the umpires’ department said the list is now final.
Some of the most experienced officials in the country will work as local umpires. Sharfuddoula Ibne Shahid Saikat, Masudur Rahman Mukul, and Tanvir Ahmed are among those selected.
The tournament will also feature two foreign umpires. Asif Yaqoob from Pakistan and Ruchira Palliyaguruge from Sri Lanka will officiate in matches.
Ehsanul Haque Sejan will miss this season as he is set to travel for World Cup duty. From the start of the league, referees from the ICC panel will continue to handle matches.
With all officials confirmed, the focus now shifts to the first match as the BPL season draws closer.
