What Will Happen to Naim’s Tk 11 Million Contract?

Just days before the start of the Bangladesh Premier League (BPL), a major financial and administrative crisis has rocked the tournament, placing both players and organisers under intense scrutiny. The controversy centres on Chattogram Royals, a franchise that had created a stir at the BPL players’ auction by securing national team opener Mohammad Naim for a record Tk 11 million (£80,000 approx.), the highest bid of the event.

However, the excitement surrounding the signing has quickly given way to uncertainty. Triangle Service, the franchise’s ownership group, has formally withdrawn from the competition just one day before the tournament was due to begin, citing severe financial difficulties.

According to sources within the BPL Governing Council, the franchise owner Abdul Qaiyum submitted an official letter explaining his inability to continue. The withdrawal was attributed to a failure to secure the expected level of sponsorship and an inability to meet contractual obligations, particularly the payment of players’ salaries. Although contracts had been signed with several overseas players, the franchise was reportedly unable to pay their agreed fees, further escalating the crisis.

With the sudden collapse of ownership, the immediate concern among players and fans alike was straightforward yet critical: what would happen to the players’ contracts—especially high-value deals such as Mohammad Naim’s Tk 11 million agreement?

To prevent disruption to the league and safeguard the interests of players, the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) swiftly stepped in and assumed full responsibility for managing Chattogram Royals. This intervention was aimed at ensuring continuity in the tournament and restoring confidence among players.

Addressing the uncertainty, Iftekhar Rahman, Member Secretary of the BPL Governing Council, offered reassurance in an interview with Prothom Alo.
“We met with the players this morning,” he said. “Those who have valid contractual documents will receive their payments in full. For those whose paperwork was incomplete, the BCB will issue new contracts.”

This statement has provided much-needed relief, particularly for domestic players whose livelihoods depend heavily on franchise cricket. Industry observers have noted that the incident raises serious questions about franchise vetting processes and financial guarantees within the league structure.

In addition to taking over financial responsibility, the BCB has also restructured the team’s management to stabilise operations and maintain professionalism throughout the season.

Chattogram Royals: New Management Structure :

Former national captain Habibul Bashar’s appointment as mentor is seen as a strategic move to bring experience and credibility to the dressing room, while Mizanur Rahman and Nafis Iqbal are expected to oversee on-field preparation and logistics respectively.

While the immediate crisis appears to have been contained, the episode has sparked wider debate about financial governance in the BPL. For Mohammad Naim and his teammates, the focus now shifts back to cricket—but the incident serves as a stark reminder that off-field stability is just as vital as on-field