Minimum five franchises to be awarded BPL rights

Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) informed that they have officially opened the process for Expressions of Interest (EOI) from reputed business houses, companies, and entities for the acquisition of franchise ownership rights in the Bangladesh Premier League T20 (BPL T20).

According to a BCB press release, the rights will be granted for five consecutive editions (12th–16th) of the tournament, beginning later this year.

The last date for EOI submission is October 28, according to the advertisement to be published in several local newspapers on Sunday.

BCB has also outlined ten potential franchise regions as follows: Barishal, Chattogram, Cumilla, Dhaka, Khulna, Mymensingh, Noakhali, Rajshahi, Rangpur, and Sylhet.

As part of a transparent and merit-based process, the BPL governing council will consider a minimum of five eligible EOI submissions for BPL's 12th edition, scheduled to be held in December–January.

Final selection will be based on financial strength, reputation, and strategic alignment with the long-term vision of the league, said the press release.

Meanwhile, BPL governing council member secretary Iftekhar Rahman Mithu said that they will try to add a new venue in the upcoming edition of the BPL while assuring the involvement of IMG (International Management Group) in the cash-rich tournament.

"We are already thinking about adding one venue," Mithu told reporters yesterday.

"Even the media, logistics, marketing, and our Governing Board members, including our director there, are all actually going on a venue visit to Rajshahi tomorrow. We wanted to add two venues, as you know, but we will be able to add one due to the very short time. After that, we will visit Barishal. Then, any one venue will be added along with Dhaka, Chattogram, and Sylhet.

"IMG will be involved. Listen, the advantage of IMG is that they have run the IPL for so long and other tournaments. So, we are taking their guidelines, we are taking our own guidelines, and we are developing guidelines, and we are also taking guidelines from past experience.

"Why do we need past experience? So that we do not repeat the mistakes they made. Otherwise, you could call this a re-launch of the BPL. So, if this re-launch is successful with everyone's cooperation, it will be a big thing for the country," Mithu added.