The Bangladesh Premier League (BPL) governing council has confirmed that this year’s edition of the tournament will begin in December, ending weeks of speculation about its timing and franchise lineup. After a round of evaluations, five teams have been finalised to take part in the upcoming season.
Among the returning franchises, Rangpur Riders and Dhaka Capitals have retained their places in the competition. Triangle Services has secured the Chattogram franchise, Nabil Group will take charge of Rajshahi, while Cricket With Sami has acquired ownership of the Sylhet team.
The 2025 BPL is set to coincide with both the UAE’s International League T20 (ILT20) and South Africa’s SA20, raising concerns about the availability of overseas players. With fewer teams this season, opportunities for local cricketers will also be reduced, prompting the BPL governing council to consider limiting the number of foreign players in each team from four to three.
Council member Nazmul Abedin Fahim hinted at this possibility, saying, “Many things are being considered to ensure the best interests of our players and the tournament. We will try to see whether we can increase the number of local players through certain conditions. That way, our players’ interests will be protected. Still, it is unfortunate that with only five teams, some deserving cricketers may not get a place.”
Another council member, Iftekhar Rahman Mithu, confirmed that franchises would have the flexibility to bring in foreign players according to their capabilities. “Yes, that option will remain,” he said. “Everyone wants the tournament to be competitive, and so do we. But it must be understood that three major leagues will take place at the same time, especially the ILT20, which features many foreign players. Therefore, we are keeping the registration open. We have not set a cap on the number of overseas signings. Even if a top player joins for just two matches, that will still be a big gain for us.”
