The Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) has officially taken over the ownership and management of Bangladesh Premier League (BPL) franchise Chattogram Royals, just one day before the start of the tournament’s 12th edition. The sudden move came after the franchise owners decided to withdraw due to financial and sponsorship difficulties.
Triangle Services Limited, which had purchased the Chattogram franchise from the BCB and participated in the players’ auction last month, informed the board of its decision through a formal letter submitted on Wednesday. According to BCB officials, the franchise cited a lack of sponsor interest, which they attributed to negative media reports surrounding the team.
BPL chairman Iftekhar Rahman confirmed the development, saying the BCB had officially taken charge within hours of receiving the letter. He described the situation as unexpected but emphasized that the board was determined to maintain strict standards this season, particularly regarding integrity and timely player payments. Rahman noted that the BCB did not want a repeat of last season’s issues, when the Durbar Rajshahi franchise faced serious payment disputes that led to player protests and even required government intervention.
The BPL has struggled with financial credibility in the past, especially in its early years after launching in 2012. While the league experienced relative stability between 2016 and 2019, problems resurfaced last season, damaging the tournament’s reputation once again.
Following the takeover, the BCB has moved quickly to stabilize the Chattogram Royals’ setup. Former Bangladesh captain Habibul Bashar has been appointed as the team director. Mizanur Rahman Babul is expected to serve as head coach, while former national opener Nafees Iqbal has taken on the role of team manager.
The ownership crisis adds to the growing challenges faced by the BPL, a league that has often been criticized for governance and financial instability. Despite calls for a complete overhaul of the tournament’s structure and branding, the BCB pressed ahead with the current season, even after struggling to secure franchises for the new five-year cycle. As a result, the league now features six teams, down from seven last season.
Chattogram Royals, one of four new franchises introduced this year, had already been under scrutiny in recent weeks. Franchise owner Kayum Rashed had previously confirmed that two individuals linked to the team were reportedly flagged in a corruption-related report by the BCB’s independent inquiry committee. Although the BCB stated earlier in December that the franchise had fulfilled all financial obligations, concerns reportedly remained within the board.
Despite the turmoil, the BCB has confirmed that Chattogram Royals’ opening match against Noakhali Express will go ahead as scheduled, ensuring that the new BPL season begins without disruption.
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