The Bangladesh Cricket Board has agreed in principle to host a franchise-based Twenty20 competition next week in order to give the players some much-needed action ahead of the ICC World T20, 2014, officials said on Tuesday. The proposed tournament could be held from December 22 to 31 in Sylhet, BCB game development chairman Khaled Mahmud told reporters, adding that they are now in talks with several corporate houses over sponsoring the team.
‘We have principally agreed to host the tournament,’ he said. ‘Four teams will play each other in a double-league basis with the top two teams reaching the final, although talks are still in a primary stage. Hopefully everything will be clear in a day or two.’
BCB officials said that the tournament will not be a mere warm-up tournament like the recently concluded Challenge Cup T20 series, where the national team and the Bangladesh A team played three matches against each other.
In order to add a touch of seriousness to the tournament, the BCB is trying to arrange prize money for the winners and match fees for the players, much in line with the first-class competition, the Bangladesh Cricket League, held last year.
The only difference between the BCL and the proposed tournament is the format, said the officials.
Mahmud said that they are in talks with a local television channel for broadcasting the tournament, which is crucial for getting a sponsor.
‘We are talking to Gazi TV for sponsoring the event. Negotiations are in the final stages. Hopefully we will be able to give you the confirmation by Wednesday [today],’ said the BCB director.
Other officials said that the BCB is keen to host the tournament in Sylhet so that they can also test the venue ahead of next year’s World T20.
The Sylhet divisional stadium will make its international debut through an one-day international between Bangladesh and Sri Lanka on February 17. This is another reason the BCB is interested to host the match in Sylhet, said the officials.
However, due to the current political turmoil, the BCB may change the venue, they added. In that case the matches will be held at the Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium in Dhaka.
-With New Age input
