Smith eligible for BPL
Photo- Collected
|| CF Correspondent ||
The Bangladesh Premier League on Thursday paved way for Steven Smith's participation in the upcoming season of BPL by amending the players' draft rules.
The BPL governing council issued a letter to the franchises that suggests Smith can take part in the tournament and according to the letter it is stated this Memo is being issued in view of the request received from majority of the franchisees to revise the rules as contained in BPL T20 Player Draft Rules - BPL T20, 2018-2019 ("the Rules") pertaining to replacement of a directly purchased overseas player from outside the players' draft list.
Upon considering their application and taking into account the greater interest of the tournament and on the recommendation of BPL Governing Council, the board decided to amend the rules, that will now allow all the franchisees to replace one (01) directly purchased overseas player (if required) from outside the Players' Draft List.
Earlier, BCB has decided not to allow Smith to take part in the upcoming edition of BPL after franchises expressed their reservations over his inclusion in the tournament, citing a by-law violation.
Smith was signed by Comilla Victorians as a replacement for Asela Gunaratne for the forthcoming season of BPL, scheduled to start on January 5. However, the problem with Smith's inclusion is that he was picked from outside the draft, which goes against the laws of the tournament.
Franchises expressed their concern during a meeting with the BPL governing council and after the GC members failed to convince the franchises, the matter was referred to the Bangladesh Cricket Board for a final call.
