BPL to skip Chattogram phase?

After completing their three matches of the Bangladesh Premier League (BPL) of the Sylhet phase, the Noakhali Express franchise had travelled to Chattogram.

However, serious uncertainty has now emerged over whether any matches will actually be played there. The team is now considering returning to Dhaka. Due to complications in the BPL schedule, the BCB is reportedly planning to cancel the Chattogram venue altogether.

BCB director Iftekhar Rahman Mithu confirmed the possibility to The Daily Star, saying that the board has very few alternatives in the current situation.

According to the original schedule, matches were to be played in Sylhet until January 2, with the Chattogram leg scheduled from January 5 to 12. However, the entire fixture list was thrown into disarray after matches were suspended last Tuesday following the death of BNP chairperson Begum Khaleda Zia. With Wednesday declared a general holiday, Tuesday's matches were rescheduled to January 4, making it almost impossible to start play in Chattogram on January 5.

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Speaking on the matter, Mithu said, "We are trying to adjust these two days. We will sit in another meeting today. One option is not to hold matches in Chattogram, and the other is to push back the final."

"The main reason for considering the cancellation of the Chattogram leg is to save the time required to move broadcasting equipment from Sylhet to Chattogram," he added.

According to the revised schedule, Dhaka Capitals are set to play Rangpur Riders in Sylhet on the night of January 4. The very next afternoon, both teams were scheduled to play in Chattogram. Given the distance between the two cities and the limitations in logistical support, this was in no way realistic. The situation could have been partially avoided had matches been scheduled in Sylhet on January 3 without a break, but the BCB remained firm on holding the January 4 fixtures.

Immediately after the BPL concludes, the Bangladesh national team is due to travel to India for the World Cup, leaving virtually no room to delay the final. In this scenario, the BCB is planning to increase the number of matches in Sylhet and shift the remainder of the tournament entirely to Dhaka.

While the BCB has officially cited logistical challenges, discussions behind the scenes have also pointed to cost-cutting measures. Dropping one venue would allow the organisers to save a significant amount of money. However, one franchise has questioned whether the situation could have been resolved by staging matches on one of the Chattogram rest days (January 7 or 10).