BPL franchises gear up for auction on November 30

With the 12th edition of the Bangladesh Premier League (BPL) T20 fast approaching, the six participating franchises have already begun assembling their squads and finalising their coaching and managerial setups.

In previous seasons, franchises typically began preparations months ahead of the tournament. This year, however, the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) -- occupied with its elections last month and publishing the Expression of Interest (EOI) for franchises only afterward -- confirmed the six participating teams just last week.

Of the six, two franchises -- Dhaka Capitals and Rangpur Riders -- are returning from previous editions, while four new teams -- Chattogram Royals, Noakhali Express, Sylhet Titans, and Rajshahi Warriors -- are set to make their debut when the tournament begins on December 26.

Teams will complete their squads at the players' auction on November 30, to be held at a hotel in the capital. However, ahead of the auction, franchises have already begun strengthening their line-ups through direct signings of both local and foreign players.

Below is the list of confirmed players and coaching staff for each team so far:

Dhaka Capitals

Directly signed local players: Taskin Ahmed, Saif Hassan

Directly signed foreign players: Alex Hales (England), Usman Khan (Pakistan)

Coaching staff: Toby Radford (Head Coach), Shoaib Akhtar (Mentor)

Rangpur Riders

Directly signed local players: Mustafizur Rahman, Nurul Hasan Sohan

Directly signed foreign players: —

Coaching staff: —

Chattogram Royals

Directly signed local players: Shak Mahedi Hasan, Tanvir Islam

Directly signed foreign players: Abrar Ahmed (England)

Coaching staff: Habibul Bashar (Mentor & Team Manager)

Noakhali Express

Directly signed local players: Soumya Sarkar, Hasan Mahmud

Directly signed foreign players: Kusal Mendis (Sri Lanka)

Coaching staff: Khaled Mahmud (Head Coach)

Sylhet Titans

Directly signed local players: Mehidy Hasan Miraz, Nasum Ahmed

Directly signed foreign players: Mohammad Amir (Pakistan), Saim Ayub (Pakistan)

Coaching staff: Sohel Islam

Rajshahi Warriors

Directly signed local players: Tanzid Hasan Tamim, Nazmul Hossain Shanto

Directly signed foreign players: —

Coaching staff: Hannan Sarkar (Head Coach), Rajin Saleh (Assistant Coach),

Tarek Aziz Khan (Bowling Coach), Hasanuzzaman Jhoru (Team Manager)