BPL: A League with No Clear Purpose

bytechtricks2024 •January 20, 2024

8

BPL NEWS

Over 12 years ago, former Indian cricketer, commentator, and cricket administrator Arun Lal expressed immense optimism about the potential of the Bangladesh Premier League (BPL) at an event in Dhaka. At that time, Arun was not just a supporter but also the chief consultant of Game On Sports, the event management company tasked with organizing the initial six seasons of the BPL.

His enthusiasm, though perhaps a bit exaggerated, reflected the palpable excitement among Bangladesh's cricket fans as they eagerly anticipated the inaugural BPL season. However, with nine seasons gone and the 10th underway, Arun's words now seem almost satirical.

The BPL, initially envisioned as a must-see franchise event, has evolved into a tournament that the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) seems to be conducting more out of obligation than passion.

Modeled after the highly successful Indian Premier League (IPL), the BPL initially mirrored its format, player auction system, and even engaged an Indian event management company. However, after a spot-fixing scandal in the first two seasons, the tournament underwent noticeable downsizing.

The players' auction transitioned to a draft, and the extravagant opening ceremonies were replaced with simpler balloon-releasing ceremonies post-Covid. The involvement of top international cricketers has dwindled as other leagues with greater financial resources have taken precedence.

BPL franchises now face the challenge of recruiting from associate nations and coinciding leagues like ILT20, SA20, and PSL to fill the void left by the absence of international stars. The lack of consistency in franchise names and team compositions, with 26 teams in 10 seasons, has further diminished the league's identity.

While other T20 leagues like PSL, CPL, and BBL have thrived, BPL struggles due to its absence of well-established franchises. The BCB, seemingly content with its current approach, sees the BPL more as a preparatory tournament for the ICC T20 World Cup than a standalone franchise event.

This shift in focus contradicts the essence of a true franchise tournament, where the primary objective should be winning the trophy, not grooming players for international cricket. If the BCB intends to run the BPL akin to a domestic competition with international flavor, it should clarify its vision rather than leaving the league in limbo.

If the BPL aims to be a genuine franchise tournament, the organizers need to establish long-term contracts with franchises, instill confidence for building a fanbase over several years, and reduce the constant player turnover after each edition. The current three-year deal with franchises, lasting until 2025, needs scaling up for the tournament's sake.

In essence, the BPL finds itself at a crossroads, and the decision-makers must determine its true purpose. Until then, the BPL will continue to run without a clear sense of direction.