Rangpur press for direct local player signing rule

Bangladesh Premier League T20 2017 champion Rangpur Riders have pressed for a “direct local player signing” along with two overseas signings for the forthcoming edition of the tournament. 

Riders Tuesday met BPL governing council as part of the ongoing series of interviews between the governing body of the tournament and the franchises.

The BPL GC earlier this month announced a revamp in the tournament regulations as part of a fresh four-year cycle. 

This had irked majority of the franchises who had started preparing for the next season, set to start in the first week of December.

@BCBtigers president Nazmul Hasan has countered claims of irregularities regarding the rules and regulations in the Bangladesh Premier League T20.https://t.co/DII0Y5br6E#BCBTIGERS #BCB #TIGERS #BANGLADESH #CRICKET #BANGLADESHCRICKET #NAZMULHASAN #NAZMUL #HASAN #BPLT20 #BPL #T20

— Dhaka Tribune Sports (@Sport_DT) August 17, 2019

The BPL GC had then denied the franchises move of signing local A+ category players, particularly Shakib al Hasan. 

Bangladesh all-rounder Shakib had moved from Dhaka Dynamites to Rangpur. 

Later, the BPL GC decided to meet each franchise individually, and take suggestions before signing the agreement.

“Our suggestion was that the teams need to be in a code for the next four years, given that in the last years we had maintained some policies. We have asked them for allowing players’ retention. As per the rule from the last season, we were allowed fresh signings, which the board is now thinking about differently. We have asked for a mandatory local direct signing as they are thinking of allowing two or three direct overseas signings,” said Riders’ CEO Ishtiaque Sadeque to reporters at Mirpur Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium in Dhaka Tuesday.

The Bangladesh Premier League Governing Council started series of meeting with the tournament franchises with the intention to clear disagreement and set rules for the next four seasons of the tournament.https://t.co/MgssCAl0jw

— Dhaka Tribune Sports (@Sport_DT) August 19, 2019

When queried if there were any discussions over the Shakib issue, Ishtiaque said, “I don’t think Shakib is a big issue. The agreement between the franchises and the BCB had finished, so they [BPL GC] wanted to know if we want to remain for the next four years. There is no doubt the Bashundhara Group wants to remain as Rangpur in BPL.”

“Then there were discussions regarding the new rules they [BPL GC] are thinking of introducing, and they have asked for our thoughts. We agreed on most points, but have some points of our own which we will send to them in written form,” said the Riders’ high-up.

Rangpur declared Shakib as their direct local signing on July 31 this year. 

This had raised questions if the franchise had let go of their captain Mashrafe bin Mortaza. 

Bangladesh Premier League T20 Governing Council said it looks forward to reach common ground with the franchises and set the regulations of the tournament by mid September this year while the players’ draft will be held in mid of October.https://t.co/kAdJQ9VhQW

— Dhaka Tribune Sports (@Sport_DT) August 19, 2019

Mashrafe has been leading the Riders for the last two seasons of the tournament, and a team cannot have two Icons or A+ category players. 

Both Shakib and Mashrafe have been selected as A+ category players in the competition.

Clearing the stance on the issue, Ishtiaque said, “As far as I know, he [Mashrafe] will not be an Icon if he retires [from international cricket]. He remains one of our retained players and both Mashrafe and Shakib will be able to play for Rangpur. Mashrafe did not want to remain as an Icon even in the last season as he doesn’t play T20Is [for Bangladesh].

“So logically, Mashrafe can’t be kept as an Icon. Icon should be someone new or promising. Board admits they do not have enough top cricketers as Icons. What I know is he doesn’t want to remain an icon if he retires but at the end of the day everything will depend on the regulations set by the board.”