With limited time available, BCB has decided to reduce the number of teams to five for this edition.
The board will release the Expression of Interest (EOI) for franchise ownership on October 12, listing 10 regions, from which five will be finalized. Each franchise will receive five-year ownership rights.
BCB’s BPL governing council member-secretary Iftekhar Rahman Mithu confirmed the move, saying, “This time we’re short on time, so our first priority is to hold a five-team BPL. That doesn’t mean there can’t be six or seven teams in the future, but for this season, five is ideal given the circumstances.”
In a bid to expand the tournament’s reach, the board has also decided to add one new venue, with Rajshahi being the frontrunner.
Officials will inspect the Rajshahi venue first, followed by Barishal, before finalizing which city will join Dhaka, Chattogram, and Sylhet as hosts.
Meanwhile, uncertainty looms over the participation of Fortune Barishal, one of the most high-profile franchises in recent seasons.
The team, which has featured stars like Shakib Al Hasan, Tamim Iqbal, Mahmudullah Riyad, Mushfiqur Rahim, Najmul Hossain Shanto, Towhid Hridoy, and Rishad Hossain, is reportedly reluctant to continue.
Acknowledging their contribution, Mithu said, “Fortune Barishal have always maintained excellent management and built a strong fan base. We’d love to see them back again.”
Since its debut in 2012, the BPL has undergone numerous franchise and name changes. The last three editions featured seven teams, but the BCB hopes a shorter, well-managed tournament will ensure smoother operations and higher quality cricket this time around.
Earlier, Sayan Globals, a private company, has recently expressed interest in owning a new franchise named Noakhali Royals.
If the company fulfills BCB’s requirements, it will be granted the Noakhali franchise rights for the next five years.
However, BCB clarified that if other parties meet the same conditions, they can also apply to own the Noakhali franchise. Additionally, Mymensingh has also been listed as a potential new franchise region.
