BCB upbeat about hosting ‘special BPL’ on time

Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) president Nazmul Hasan has said the board is upbeat about hosting the special edition of Bangladesh Premier League (BPL) from 6 December next as per the schedule.

The board had earlier announced the date to start the new edition of BPL which is dedicated to the Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman and renamed as Bangabandhu BPL, reports UNB.

But it was under doubt as a BCB director told the media that BPL could be deferred by one week or 10 days. However, the BCB president expressed the other idea on Thursday.

“There’s no chance to change the date. Most of the main works have already been done, and we’re confident to host the BPL from 6 December. We have no much time in our hand because of the scheduled Pakistan series right after the BPL,” Nazmul told the media.

In the media briefing on Thursday, Nazmul ruled out the notion of recruiting only foreign coaches in the BPL. He rather said the local coaches also have the chances to be appointed as the head coaches in the most prestigious domestic cricket event of the country.

“We’ll assign a board director with every team of the upcoming BPL. Along with the team sponsors, they’ll appoint head coaches. I don't think that there’s no chance for the local coaches,” he added.

According to the board president, a total of 38 foreign coaches have applied to work in the BPL, but it does not mean the local coaches will be overlooked.

A total of 393 foreign cricketers have expressed their interest to play in the BPL, the board president confirmed. He also confirmed that a players’ draft is likely to take place on 12 November.

There will be no franchise in this edition of BPL. BCB is now having a busy time to appoint the team sponsors.

“We’ve received requests from nine different business groups who are interested to be part of the BPL. However, we’re yet to finalise the team sponsors,” Nazmul further said.