Chittagong Vikings not participating in BPL '18-19
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||CF Correspondent||
Bangladesh Premier League (BPL) franchise Chittagong Vikings have decided not to participate in the upcoming edition of the tournament. The BPL officials are looking to convince the franchise-owner and see if they can reverse the decision upon his return from abroad in the coming weeks.
Unlike the other franchises in the competition, the Chittagong-based franchise did not submit any player-retention list to the concerned authorities and sent a clear message about their non-participation.
The last date for retaining players ahead of the tournament ended on September 30.
“Yes they have mailed saying that they are unable to continue in the tournament,” BPL acting chairman Sheikh Sohel told Asian Age on Monday. “But we are waiting for the arrival of their franchise owner. They were with us for the last five years, so we hope that we can convince them to be part of BPL.”
The forthcoming edition of Bangladesh Premier League, the country's lone franchise-based Twenty20 tournament, will start on January 5 next year.
Initially, the tournament was scheduled to be played in October but the national elections of the country, which will take place later this year, forced a change in schedule.
The BPL governing committee might team the seven-team tournament to six teams, if they fail to gain a positive response from the Chittagong Vikings-owner.
“I don’t think it will be possible to replace them with a new franchise.
“In that case we will have to play the tournament with six teams,” said Sohel.
The players’ draft for the competition will be held on October 25. The overseas cricketers who played in the BPL last season have to be drafted this year as well. Each team can take two players from outside the draft, as some of the drafted players might not be available due to the BPL’s coincidence with the Big Bash League.
