BPL to be ‘trial’ for 2021 T20 WC

The seventh edition of the Bangladesh Premier League (BPL) has already stirred up a lot of controversies and undergone many changes. The Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) had previously announced that this edition of the BPL would not feature franchises and would be solely arranged by the board itself. The BCB yesterday held a meeting in Mirpur, where they discussed various issues regarding the upcoming BPL.

On the start date: There was a lot of talk regarding the start of BPL 7 and whether it would even take place at all this year. However, after yesterday's meeting, BCB president Nazmul Hassan confirmed that the board are making preparations to start the domestic T20 League as previously decided, on December 6.

"We do not have any intentions to change the actual date of the BPL. We have a Pakistan tour just after the BPL and keeping that in mind, we need to finish it on time. At best the tournament might be delayed for a day or two but we are taking preparations for it to start on December 6," said Nazmul.

The BCB president also confirmed that the players draft for the BPL will be held on November 12.

On players and coaches: Nazmul informed that a total of 393 players are registered for the upcoming BPL while the BCB has already received applications from 38 foreign coaches. Although the BCB earlier said that the BPL teams will only have foreign coaches, Nazmul said that even local coaches could be considered.

"There are seven teams. Now if all the teams have foreign coaches or not it will depend on sponsors," continued Nazmul.

On players' fees: Although Nazmul did not confirm the exact range for players' fees but he did mention that the fees will decrease slightly.

"It will not be like the previous years as the BCB is arranging the tournament, it will be a bit less [fees]," he said.

On seeing this BPL with a different perspective: As per Nazmul, this BPL will be seen as a 'trials' for the 2021 T20 World Cup in India.

"If there is a local leg-spinner in any squad then the teams must play them. We will also try to take foreign fast bowlers who bowl above 140 kmph. Basically this BPL is just preparation. It was a different case in the last World Cup but now we are making a long term plan. When will we have the trial for the 2021 World Cup? We could not do any trials before the last one but now we want to try new players here."