The Bangladesh Premier League is set to return in the December–January window, the Bangladesh Cricket Board confirmed Sunday, following weeks of uncertainty surrounding the tournament’s future.
BCB President Aminul Islam Bulbul stated that although the exact lineup of participating franchises remains undecided, the board is preparing to commit to long-term partnerships. Franchises that qualify—new or returning—will be offered five-year contracts.
The BPL is getting an overhaul. After their latest board meeting, officials confirmed they’re bringing in a foreign management firm to run the show. They’re borrowing a playbook from successful tournaments like the IPL and PSL, hoping the professional touch will fix operational headaches and attract a bigger global audience.
A New Direction for BPL Operations
One key change: the tournament will be open to all interested franchise applicants.
“The application process will be open for all,” said Iftikhar Ahmed Mithu, chair of the BCB media committee. “We want to set clear criteria for selection and ensure transparency throughout the process.”
Under the proposed system, franchises will enter into a new financial model developed through consultation. This will replace the existing approach with a more structured revenue-sharing model, aligned with the expectations of both stakeholders and potential investors.
BCB also confirmed that non-board experts from diverse fields will be included in the BPL governing committee to ensure greater clarity and accountability.
Past Challenges Prompt Overhaul
Board officials acknowledged criticism from previous seasons, including issues with team management and operational confusion. The upcoming edition is being planned with these lessons in mind.
“We don’t want to repeat past mistakes,” said one board member. “Neither I nor the president was directly involved last time, but this time we’ll be hands-on, and we’ll do it differently.”
Franchise selection will be based on newly defined criteria. A place on the team won’t come easy—candidates must meet the BCB’s standards and comply fully with government policy to be in the running.
The board was unable to confirm how many teams will participate in the 2025 edition. Discussions on franchise numbers and final approvals are still pending.
What is certain, according to BCB, is that franchises must now meet stricter standards. Previous arrangements have expired. All teams will be treated as new applicants moving forward.
Aiming for a Cleaner, More Competitive League
The board is emphasizing discipline, viability, and professionalism. Repeating the inconsistent team experiences of past seasons, particularly incidents like the Rajshahi franchise issue, is something the board says it’s working to avoid.
By changing the management structure and bringing in external oversight, the board hopes to attract higher-quality teams and avoid the administrative breakdowns of previous years.
“We’re moving to a different path now,” said a board official. “Different model, different mindset.”
For fans, the timing provides something to look forward to. For franchises, it signals a more predictable, business-oriented league. And for the BCB, it marks an attempt to rebuild trust in one of Bangladesh’s most watched sporting events.
