The Bangladesh Cricket Board so far received a lukewarm response from the potential bidders of new Bangladesh Premier League franchise as only two corporate houses have submitted their expression of interest. The bidding will be completed for six new franchises and the BCB expects to get multiple bidding on the final day. Sources inside the BCB said Beximco Limited and Summit Group so far submitted their interest so far..
Speculation is high that Square Group, Prime Bank Limited, Hamim Group, Abul Khayer Group, Asian TV Limited and DBL also could join them in the bidding process. A consortium backed by Chittagong City Corporation mayor and BCB vice-president AZM Nasir also can join the race.
Among the current franchises, Chittagong Kings, Rangpur Riders, Duronto Rajshahi and Rangpur Riders are also interested to keep their ownership and submitted their expression of interest.
‘We are open to keep them in BPL provided they clear our dues,’ BPL governing council secretary Ismail Haider Mallick told reporters on Sunday. ‘Even if they don’t play they will still have to pay our dues,’ he said.
BCB had terminated the ownership rights of all the seven franchises for their inability to pay the dues that sources said amount to nearly Tk 69 crore.
Two time champions Dhaka Gladiators are banned from participating in any kind of cricketing activities for their role match fixing involvement in the second edition of BPL.
-With New Age input
