Bangladesh Cricket Board [BCB] is in opinion that focus should be on local cricketers in the upcoming Corporate T20 league. The plan that started small has now turned big as the board is mulling to add all possible amenities to the tournament that will feature at least five teams likely to be patronized by the corporate houses of the country.
There was discussion of allowing overseas cricketers in the tournament scheduled to start aroud mid-November but the board is now in opinion to push it off informed, BCB president Nazmul Hasan.
“BCB wants the T20 tournament to have teams of equal strength and quality. We're discussing (the involvement) of foreign players and no final decision has been taken. If we can bring foreign players then its good but it's not like we must bring them. Our first priority is to create opportunity for local players to play,” said Nazmul to the media on the opening day of BCB President’s Cup at Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium on Sunday.
BCB chief Nazmul also mentioned about the challenges that will be faced due to Covid-19 situation in case of roping in overseas cricketers in the short-tournament.
There has been discussion if this Corporate T20 league will come as a replacement to Bangladesh Premier League T20 and Nazmul hinted so citing BPL T20 unlikely to be held this year.
“Everything is depending on the situation we are going through. There will be no BPL this year because BPL requires the inclusion of the foreign cricketers which is tough now due to the Covid-19 situation. At the same time, we need to ensure a better production system. If we can manage these, there will be no problem (to host BPL), but the things are bigger here. So we have no BPL in our sight,” Nazmul told the media.
“I think hosting an event like BPL will not be easy for us in Bangladesh. We know that most of the franchisees have to tackle many problems to run a team of BPL. And the bio-secure bubble that has been put in place in England and UAE (for IPL) is not possible in Bangladesh. I think it’s not possible for our franchisees to spend that much money to secure a high-quality bio-secure bubble for the teams,” Nazmul commented.
