Preparations for the upcoming season of the Bangladesh Premier League (BPL) are well underway, with the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) assigning new leadership roles following last month’s board elections. Newly appointed BCB president Aminul Islam Bulbul will oversee the tournament, while Ifthekhar Rahman Mithu has been named member secretary.
The event will once again be managed by IMG, a US-based sports event management company, which has been contracted to organise the BPL for the next three seasons, including the upcoming edition. According to sources, the next BPL will feature six teams.
Fortune Barishal and Khulna Tigers will not take part this season, while a new franchise from Rajshahi is likely to be introduced under the name Rajshahi Stars. Teams from Sylhet, Chattogram, Dhaka and Barishal are also set to come under new ownership.
There had been speculation that Rajshahi could be added as a new venue, but the stadium renovation work there will not be completed before the tournament begins. As a result, this year’s BPL will once again be played across three venues. A BCB source confirmed that most matches will take place outside Dhaka, with only the opening fixtures and the closing stages likely to be held in Mirpur. The decision was influenced by the current condition of the Mirpur pitch.
If everything goes according to plan, the players’ draft will be held between 17 and 20 November, while the 12th edition of the Bangladesh Premier League is expected to begin in the third week of December.
