After much speculation, the 2025 edition of the Bangladesh Premier League (BPL) will kick off in December. There had been uncertainty regarding whether the finalisation of the franchises would be completed within this period. However, after thorough deliberation, the governing council of the BPL has confirmed the participation of five teams for the upcoming season.
Among the previous franchises, Rangpur Riders and Dhaka Capitals will be returning to the competition. Additionally, Triangle Services has secured the franchise for Chattogram, while Nabil Group will take over the Rajshahi franchise. Cricket with Sami has been granted ownership of the Sylhet franchise.
The BPL is set to begin on 19th December, coinciding with the UAE’s ILT20 and SA20 tournaments. This overlap has raised concerns about the availability of foreign players for the BPL, especially as the number of teams has decreased. This reduction is likely to lead to fewer opportunities for domestic cricketers as well. In light of these concerns, it has been suggested that teams may be allowed to field three foreign players instead of four. Nazmul Abedin Fahim, a member of the BPL governing council, hinted at this possibility.
When asked about the potential rule change, Fahim said, “A lot can happen to protect the interests of both our players and the teams. We will try to find a solution, even if it means adjusting things. Ideally, we would like to increase the number of domestic players in each team without any restrictions, so that the interests of local cricketers are safeguarded. However, without seven or eight teams, many deserving players might miss out on a spot, which would be unfortunate.”
Regarding the participation of foreign players, Iftikhar Rahman Mithu, another member of the BPL governing council, stated, “Yes, this rule will remain. Everyone wants the tournament to be exciting, and we too are committed to making it a lively competition. However, it’s important to understand that three leagues are running simultaneously, particularly the ILT20, which only features foreign players. Therefore, we are keeping the option open to bring in foreign players as needed for specific matches. This season, we are not imposing a cap on foreign player registrations. If a top foreign player joins for just two games, that will still be a big achievement for us.”
Thus, despite the challenges posed by the overlapping tournaments, the BPL organisers are keen on maintaining the tournament’s competitive edge and ensuring opportunities for both local and international cricketers.
Summary of Changes and New Rules:
| Aspect | Details |
|---|---|
| Participating Teams | 5 teams confirmed: Rangpur Riders, Dhaka Capitals, Chattogram (Triangle Services), Rajshahi (Nabil Group), Sylhet (Cricket with Sami). |
| Foreign Player Limit | Teams may be allowed to field 3 foreign players instead of 4 due to overlap with other leagues (ILT20 and SA20). |
| Foreign Player Registration | No cap on the number of foreign players who can be registered, allowing flexibility for teams to bring in international stars as needed. |
| Impact on Local Players | With fewer teams, opportunities for local players may decrease, and some deserving players could miss out on spots. |
| Start Date | The tournament will begin on 19th December, 2025. |
Despite the reduced number of teams, the BPL governing council is focused on maintaining a vibrant and competitive tournament.