The 12th edition of the Bangladesh Premier League (BPL) witnessed a stunning opening in its auction as Naeem Sheikh’s name was the first to be called. The left-handed opener, classified under the ‘A’ grade with a base price of 5 million Taka, immediately became the centre of attention. What followed was a dramatic bidding war that kept all the franchises on their toes. In a competitive frenzy, Naeem’s price eventually soared above the one-crore mark, confirming him as the auction’s biggest early headline.
The contest for Naeem was intense, involving four franchises: Sylhet Titans, Rangpur Riders, Chattogram Royals, and Noakhali Express. The excitement reached a climax when Chattogram Royals ultimately secured the 26-year-old batter for 11 million Taka. This acquisition reflects both confidence in Naeem’s domestic performances and the Royals’ determination to strengthen their top order.
Although Naeem has struggled to find consistent form in the national team, his domestic record speaks volumes. He was among the leading run-scorers in the previous BPL season and has consistently impressed in local tournaments. For the Royals, Naeem offers the potential to combine experience with youthful energy, while also providing stability at the top of the batting order.
Following Naeem, the second player to go under the hammer was Bangladesh’s T20 captain, Liton Das. Liton had just showcased his explosive form with a whirlwind fifty against Ireland in the second T20I. While there had been speculation that he would trigger a heated bidding war, the auction unfolded differently. Rangpur Riders snapped him up for a relatively modest 7 million Taka, securing the wicketkeeper-batter without significant competition.
These early developments indicate that the 12th BPL auction is shaping up to be highly competitive, with franchises making strategic moves to build balanced squads that combine international experience with promising local talent.