The Bangladesh Cricket Board is all set to introduce two new franchises for the forthcoming edition of Bangladesh Premier League, officials said on Thursday after a meeting of the tournament’s governing council.
The meeting, which was held at the Capital’s Bexmico office of the BCB president Nazmul Hasan, also decided to invite fresh bid for Sylhet franchise due to the inability of its current owners to clear the players’ payment.
‘We are adding two more franchises from the next edition,’ said BCB director Sheikh Sohel, who is also a member of the governing council.
Sohel indicated that Renaissance Group, which is belonged to state minister of foreign affairs Shahriar Alam and Gemcon group, owned by the family of BCB director Kazi Enam Ahmed, are expected to buy the Rajshahi and Khulna franchise respectively.
Sohel said the BCB revoked the agreement of Sylhet Super stars as the franchise owner Alif Group failed to clear the dues of players and board.
The BCB was also reviewing the agreement with broadcast partner Channel-9, said Sohel as they also have become a defaulter.
‘They [Channel 9] could not keep their commitment and broke a few terms and conditions,’ he said.
The BCB resumed the tournament last year with six new franchises after first two editions were marred by match-fixing scandal.
The teams were Comilla Victorians, Barisal Bulls, Rangpur Riders, Dhaka Dynamites, Sylhet Super Stars and Chittagong Vikings. There were interested buyers for Rajshahi and Khulna franchises, which participated in the first two editions.
Comilla Victorians won the title in third edition in the maiden appearance.
The fourth edition of BPL is expected to begin on November 6.
-With New Age input
