Drama in the ongoing Bangladesh Premier League Twenty20 2024-25 season continues as Durbar Rajshahi named a playing XI without any foreign player for Sunday's match against Rangpur Riders in Mirpur’s Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium, Dhaka.
The overseas players reportedly refused to arrive at the stadium, citing payment issues.
Rajshahi's overseas players this season are Ryan Burl, Mark Deyal, Miguel Cummins, Aftab Alam, Lahiru Samarakoon and Mohammad Haris.
When captain Taskin Ahmed was asked about changes in the playing XI by TV commentator Danny Morrison at the toss, he confirmed their absence.
"We have few changes. Four or five. Because no foreigners. All the local players are playing," Taskin said during the toss.
For the first time in the history of BPL, a team took the field without any overseas player.
This also contravenes the BPL bylaws, which mandate that teams are required to include a minimum of two foreign players in their XI.
However, the Rajshahi franchise has asserted that they have obtained special permission from the BPL technical committee to play exclusively with local players.
Bangladesh Cricket Board released a press release regarding the issue just after the match commenced, mentioning that the BPL technical committee granted Rajshahi's request under "special consideration".
The press release stated:
“The Durbar Rajshahi team, currently competing in the 2025 Bangladesh Premier League T20, has applied to the BPL technical committee for special approval to field a team consisting solely of Bangladeshi players for (Sunday's) game against Rangpur Riders due to the non-availability of overseas players.
"After a review of the request and in accordance with the provisions outlined in clause 1.2.8 of the match playing conditions of BPL 2024-25, the technical committee has granted approval for Durbar Rajshahi to field a team consisting of only Bangladeshi players for this match.”
Rajshahi were restricted to 119/9 after being asked to bat first before Rangpur managed 117/8, falling short by just two runs.
Meanwhile, in the day’s first game at the same venue, Fortune Barishal hammered Sylhet Strikers with an eight-wicket win to seal their spot in the playoffs.
