BPL governing council confirmed the dates for the sixth edition of the Bangladesh Premier League, on Sunday (July 29). The domestic T20 league is scheduled to commence on January 5 next year and will run for 35 days.

Unlike the previous edition, the franchises will be allowed to field only four overseas players instead of five. Under the new retention policy, teams can retain up to four players.

Seven teams will take part in the competition and a total of 46 matches will be played across three different venues, including the playoffs and the final. Rangpur Riders will go into the tournament as defending champions.

“After today’s meeting, it has been decided that the BPL will be held from 5 January to 8 February in 2019. And the players’ draft will take place sometime in October.

“Four players can be retained including both local and overseas cricketer. In this case, all four can be either local or overseas players. That’s up to the franchises,” said BPL governing council member and BCB media committee chairman Jalal Yunus.

BPL has been moved to January, instead of its November slot due to the Bangladesh general elections which will be held later this year.