The BPL’s Dubious Distinctions

In the inaugural edition, it was announced that Chittagong Kings would play in the semifinals before BPL governing body, following late-night meetings, stated that Barisal Burners, not Chittagong, were through.

Mashrafe Bin Mortaza reported a potential spot-fixing approach from a fellow cricketer to his franchise, Dhaka Gladiators, in the first edition of BPL. 

The first two editions of the BPL saw repeated complaints from players and coaching staff regarding delays of payment.

Mohammad Ashraful was handed an eight-year ban – later reduced to five years – and franchise Dhaka Gladiators were handed a lifetime ban for match-fixing in the 2013 edition of the tournament.

Despite setbacks, the BPL attracted star foreigners over the years, with the likes of Steve Smith and David Warner playing in the 2019 edition.

In 2015, a match between Sylhet Superstars and Chittagong Vikings was delayed after Sylhet named a different eleven at the toss to the one they eventually fielded as Ravi Bopara and Josh Cobb's NOCs arrived after the toss.

In 2017, the BPL governing body forgot to impose a pre-tournament regulation that a match would be decided by a Super Over in the playoffs in case the allotted overs were not played due to rain.

Ahead of the 2020 edition, the Bangladesh Cricket Board announced that each BPL team would be required to have a pacer bowling over 140kmph and a leg-spinner present in the eleven.

The BCB rejected franchise revenue sharing, scrapping all franchises and arranging special editions of BPL, from 2020.