The Bangladesh Premier League (BPL) governing council (GC) announced today that the seventh edition of the BPL will be part of a new cycle that will require a 'fresh franchisee agreement/contract'. That means that effectively, the deals struck by franchises -- like Shakib Al Hasan's high-profile move back to Rangpur Riders – has not been endorsed by the governing council.

"Since we have not yet made a new agreement for the new cycle, we cannot endorse whatever deals that have been struck by the franchises for the seventh edition," Mahbub Anam, Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) director, told reporters today at the Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium in Mirpur. Shakib's move from Dhaka Dynamites to Rangpur Riders was announced on July 31 by what was thought to be te ace all-rounder's new franchise at the time.

Other high-profile moves for the tournament slated to begin from December 6 announced recently include Tamim Iqbal leaving sixth edition champions Comilla Victorians and going to Khulna Titans, who had also announced that they had roped in former Australia all-rounder Shane Watson. Those moves, like Shakib's, would also be rendered null and void until a fresh franchisee agreement.

The press conference took place after a BPL governing council meeting in Mirpur. The major outcomes of the meeting, as communicated by a BCB press release, is provided below:

-Previously, the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) and the right holders of seven (07) existing BPL Franchise Teams ("the Teams") executed a Franchise Agreement under which the right holders were granted rights to the Teams till the 6th edition of BPL T20 Tournament ("BPL T20").

-With the conclusion of the 6th edition of BPL T20, which was held in 2019, the first cycle of the tournament is now considered complete, which also marks the expiry of the tenure of the franchisee agreements with the respective right holders.

-In these circumstances, as per clause 3.1 of the franchise agreements executed between the BCB and the Franchises, with the view to renew the said agreements, the BPL Governing Council will send out immediate invitations the Teams that had participated in the 6th edition for of BPL T20 (2019) for a discussion on the issue of renewal of the Franchise Agreement and execution of a fresh contract subject to mutually agreeable terms and conditions.

-In this regard, BPL Governing Council has decided that the duration/tenure of the second cycle of the BPL T20 will be for a further period of four (04) editions/seasons, i.e. 7th , 8th, 9th & 10th edition/season.

-In this connection, BCB has already published an advertisement seeking Expression of Interest (EOI) from interested applicants for franchisee rights of 02 (Two) BPL Teams since the previous right holder of "Chittagong  Vikings" has informed BPL GC about its decision to "Discontinue as a Team" and BCB is also exploring the possibility of adding another new franchise team to the BPL T20 Tournament.

-The decision to grant franchisee rights to interested applicants to EOI will depend on, amongst others, outcome of the discussion about renewal of Franchise Agreement and settlement of disputes (if any) with previous right holders to BPL Franchise Teams.

-The relevant processes, player draft/auction etc. for holding the next edition of BPL T20 will be set in motion after the execution of the fresh franchisee agreement/contract.

-The 7th edition of the BPL will see an open draft/auction for listed players (local and overseas) on all categories.

-Player retention option will come into effect from the BPL T20 8th edition onwards.