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Bangladesh Cricket Board issues takeover threat to BPL franchises over payment failures

Soumyajit Dutta

BCB logo and BPL trophy [Source: @BCBtigers/X.com]BCB logo and BPL trophy [Source: @BCBtigers/X.com]

The Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) will seize control of Bangladesh Premier League (BPL) franchises that fail to make their payments. This announcement came alongside the confirmation that the next BPL will feature six teams, not five. The tournament is scheduled to run from December 19 to January 16.

The BCB had initially cleared only five teams after a rigorous financial and integrity screening process. The decision to include a sixth team followed a request from the Cricketers' Welfare Association of Bangladesh (CWAB). Desh Travels (Noakhali Express) was subsequently added after meeting the requirements.

BCB threatens to take over BPL franchises

For the unaware, the six confirmed franchises are Chattogram Royals, Dhaka Capitals, Noakhali Express, Rajshahi Warriors, Rangpur Riders, and Sylhet Titans. Iftekhar Rahman Mithu, the BPL Governing Council secretary, stressed that the BCB is prepared to take over any team that misses a payment, even during the tournament.

"We have given the financial instruments and if they can't abide by it, the cricket board is ready to take over the teams. Any irregularity in integrity, since we want the tournament to be very clean in terms of payment and integrity - if we see any problems, we will take over the team," Iftekhar Rahman Mithu, the BPL Governing Council secretary said.

Mithu speaks of the earlier chaos and addition of sixth team

Iftekhar, firmly stated the elimination of the initially registered teams because of their misconduct with financial aspects.

"I want to be absolutely clear on the process. Originally, 11 teams participated. Two companies were disqualified early because they did not provide a bank draft, check, or any financial instrument. Out of the remaining nine, some provided post-dated checks or pay orders. After giving them time to pay the required 2 Crore Taka for eligibility and completing the integrity checks with local agencies, the BCB Integrity Unit, and the ICC, only five were initially cleared," said Mithu.

The Bangladesh board has also appointed Trans Production Technologies (TPT) as the new production service provider. The switch is expected to save the board around USD 500,000.