With poor management charges, BPL starts Friday

The press conference for revealing the title sponsor of the Bangladesh Premier League (BPL) 2023 was scheduled to be held at 12 pm on Thursday. But it took place an hour later. 

Unfortunately, this was not a one-off incident but one of many examples of BPL's less-than-desirable management.

The highly-anticipated premier domestic cricket tournament in Bangladesh is set to begin on Friday, with Chattogram Challengers facing Sylhet Strikers at 2:30 pm at Dhaka’s Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium. 

Bangladesh Test and T20 Captain Shakib Al Hasan fiercely criticized the governing body of BPL on Wednesday, saying that he could resolve all of the existing issues if he were appointed the BPL CEO.

A day later, the CEO of BCB, Nizam Uddin Chowdhury, was asked for his opinion concerning Shakib's comment. Nizam Uddin's response only served to highlight the chaotic state of affairs in the management of BPL, demonstrating his sense of helplessness.

“If he was aware of the situation, he would not have said it,” Nizam Uddin said regarding Shakib’s comments.

Former captain Mashrafe Bin Mortaza today supported Shakib's assertions regarding the mismanagement in BPL, acknowledging that Shakib was right.

“It would have been beneficial for Bangladesh if it (BPL) was more organized,” Mashrafe said. “And we also failed to create a better market value for BPL.”

He also expressed his displeasure over the fact that five to six teams have to share a single venue for practice during BPL. He noted that this demonstrates that the BPL is still falling short of creating an adequate ecosystem to be deemed one of the top leagues in the world.

Mohammad Salahuddin, the highly acclaimed coach of the record-breaking BPL team Comilla Victorians, has echoed Shakib's sentiments, stressing the need for the BCB to work towards increasing the quality of BPL’s management. 

Despite the availability of DRS in more recently established leagues, the BPL yet again failed to acquire this service. Nizam Uddin, the CEO, provided no logical justification for their stymied progress.

“We have many limitations,” he said again and again at the press conference that revealed the title sponsor. “We have the necessary equipment to run DRS, but we lack the resources necessary to use it effectively.”

The CEO of BCB remained tight-lipped when asked about the expected revenue from this year's BPL. He was unwilling to share the amount that the organization had agreed to sell the broadcasting rights for — to a relatively unknown group.

Despite that, media personnel continued to press him on the matter, alluding that BCB's lack of transparency was at fault.

“Sponsors have a confidentiality agreement with us, and for that reason, we cannot publicly disclose it,” Nizam Uddin said. “However, I can assure you that after a brief discussion, I will share it with you.”

A total of seven teams are participating in this year’s BPL, and they will compete in 46 matches at three different venues in Dhaka, Chattogram and Sylhet.