BCB Warns BPL Franchises of Takeover After Repeated Payment Failures

The Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) has warned that it will take over any Bangladesh Premier League (BPL) team that does not pay its dues. The board also confirmed that the next BPL season will have six teams instead of five. The tournament will be held from December 19 to January 16.

BCB Warns BPL Teams Over Payments as Six-Team Season Confirmed

Earlier, the BCB had approved only five teams after a strict financial and integrity check. Later, a sixth team was added after the Cricketers' Welfare Association of Bangladesh (CWAB) requested it. Desh Travels (Noakhali Express) was included after it met all requirements.

The Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) has warned that it is ready to take control of any BPL team that fails to make the required payments. The six confirmed teams for the tournament are Chattogram Royals, Dhaka Capitals, Noakhali Express, Rajshahi Warriors, Rangpur Riders, and Sylhet Titans.

BPL Governing Council secretary Iftekhar Rahman Mithu said that every team must follow the financial rules, and if any team fails, the board will step in even during the tournament.

He said, “We have given all financial instructions. If any team cannot follow them, the board is ready to take over. We want the tournament to be clean when it comes to payments and integrity. If we find any issue, we will take over the team.”

Mithu also talked about the earlier confusion during team selection. He said some teams were removed because they did not meet the financial requirements.

He explained,

“At first, 11 teams participated in the process. Two were removed early because they did not submit any bank draft or financial papers. Out of the remaining nine, some gave post-dated cheques. After giving them time to pay the required 2 crore taka and completing all integrity checks with local agencies, the BCB Integrity Unit, and the ICC, only five teams were cleared.”

The BCB has picked Trans Production Technologies (TPT) as the new production partner for the BPL. With this change, the board is likely to save about USD 500,000.