BCB Steps In as Chattogram Falters

As the 12th edition of the Bangladesh Premier League (BPL) begins today, the tournament once again finds itself grappling with controversy even before the first delivery is bowled. Despite repeated assurances from the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) that this year’s competition would mark a new era of professionalism and stability, last-minute administrative upheaval has cast a long shadow over the build-up. At the centre of the storm is the Chattogram franchise, whose ownership has been abruptly taken over by the BCB following the withdrawal of its private owners.

While a mild cold wave has tightened its grip across the country, tensions around the Sylhet International Cricket Stadium have been running high. Officials, players and observers alike witnessed scenes that many say surpass even the BPL’s chequered history. Determined to avoid past embarrassments, the BCB had imposed stringent conditions on franchise owners ahead of the tournament. These included a mandatory bank guarantee of Tk 10 crore and a requirement to commit to the league for at least five seasons. In an unprecedented move, intelligence agencies were also reportedly involved in vetting prospective franchise owners to ensure financial credibility.

Yet these measures proved too onerous for some. Attention soon turned to Chattogram Royals, owned by Triangle Services Limited. Over the past week, rumours swirled regarding the franchise’s ability to honour player payments. Concerns intensified after national opener Naim Sheikh was secured at the auction for a substantial Tk 1.10 crore. The absence of overseas players in the squad further fuelled speculation about the franchise’s financial health.

Those fears were confirmed on Wednesday morning when franchise owner Kaiyum Rashid formally notified the BCB that he was no longer able to continue due to severe financial constraints and a failure to secure sponsorship. The revelation sparked sharp criticism across Bangladesh’s cricketing circles, particularly given the timing, with the tournament just hours away from commencement. Left with little choice, the BCB intervened and assumed control of the franchise to keep the competition intact.

The takeover led to swift structural changes. Mizanur Rahman Babu was appointed head coach, Habibul Bashar Sumon took over as team director, and Nafis Iqbal was named team manager. Sumon had already reached Sylhet a day earlier, while Mizanur Rahman was flown in from Dhaka at short notice, underscoring the urgency of the situation.

BCB governing council member secretary Iftekhar Rahman Mithu acknowledged the immense pressure facing the board. He explained that persistent rumours about Chattogram’s integrity had scared away potential sponsors, leaving the owners unable to cope. Striking a more candid tone than earlier promises of a flawless tournament, Mithu admitted that organising a competition of this scale within a limited timeframe was an enormous challenge.

Amid the chaos, there was palpable relief among the players. Naim Sheikh, Shariful Islam and Sheikh Mahadi, among others, appeared reassured that BCB control would guarantee timely payment of their dues. However, the same could not be said for the coaching staff. Former South African cricketer Justin Miles and mentor-batting coach Tushar Imran were released following the restructuring, bringing their brief association with the team to an abrupt end.

Key Developments at a Glance

As the BPL gets under way, the Chattogram saga has once again exposed deep-rooted issues surrounding franchise sustainability and governance. Whether the BCB’s intervention restores confidence or merely papers over longstanding cracks remains a pressing question for Bangladesh cricket.