BPL GC meets three franchises
The Bangladesh Premier League (BPL) Governing Council (GC) has started discussions with tournament franchises with the intention to resolve disagreements and set rules for the new four-year cycle of the tournament.
The BPL GC held meetings with representatives of Dhaka Dynamites, Khulna Titans and Rajshahi Kings and are also expected to hold meetings with Rangpur Riders, Comilla Victorians and Sylhet Sixers today.
Earlier this month, the governing council announced that they would set fresh regulations to start a new four-year cycle, which will also require a renewal of contracts with franchises. The governing body of the tournament had also not endorsed Shakib Al Hasan’s move from Dhaka Dynamites to Rangpur Riders and also did not recognize direct overseas signings by franchises for the upcoming season.
“The BCB [Bangladesh Cricket Board] wants to set rules for the next four years as a new cycle is starting. But in this cycle, they can have one or two foreign signings. We have said it even before [to the media], it is always better to have two or three direct overseas signings and a must to have one local signing [as an Icon PLayer],” Khulna Titans managing director Kazi Inam Ahmed told reporters when asked about the franchises’ suggestions to the GC during the meeting.
“The one local signing can be the captain of the team, a marquee and it can also be a player from the same region as the franchise. We [Khulna Titans] have taken a lot criticism from the fans because we do not have players from Khulna. So, having a local player [ahead of the draft], in any manner, makes the system look good,” Inam added.
According to Dynamites’ chief executive officer Obaid Nizam, the franchise did not have any crucial agenda to discuss with the governing council.
When asked for his thoughts on signing a local icon cricketer and the Shakib issue, Nizam said: “There is no discussion over the issue as the rules will be changed from this season. They [BPL GC] wanted some advice from us which we have shared. We did not have any discussion over Shakib.”
Later yesterday, Rajshahi Kings informed of their suggestions to the GC through a press release. They urged that a percentage of revenue -- ‘broadcast rights, sponsorship rights, ticket procedure and all other revenue streams’ -- that the tournament generates be shared among the franchises. They also wanted consistency in rules and bylaws in the next cycle – regardless of whether there are changes from the first cycle – so that franchises could plan for the 4-year tenure.
According to BCB vice-president and BPL commissioner Mahbub Anam, the governing council will take a decision after consulting with franchises.
“We have discussed with three franchises -- Dhaka, Khulna and Rajshahi -- and the discussions were fruitful. They have agreed to be included for the new cycle. They informed that they will accept what the board decides. They are informed of the new rules and those rules will be included in the contract so that there won’t be any problems in the future,” Mahbub told the reporters.
