BCB sources confirmed on Sunday (December 12) that the league's governing council has finalized the six franchises for the eighth edition.
BCB said they got 8 expressions of interest. The tournament is expected to feature three new business houses and three former franchises. The new business houses are set to be Rupa & Marn Group (Dhaka Division), Progoti Group (Sylhet Division), and MindTree (Khulna Division).
Fortune Group and Akhtar Group, which owned Barisal Division and Chattogram Division in the previous edition, got those two franchises back. Meanwhile, Comilla Victorians, owned by Lotus Group, will make a comeback in this season's BPL. They didn't play last season.
Also, BCB decided only to give the franchises a one-year deal since they're expected to sign a long-term contract after this season. As a result, franchises like Dhaka Dynamites (Beximco), Rangpur Riders (Basundhara), and Khulna Titans (Gemcon Group) decided not to participate in this year's tournament.
Chattogram Challengers managing director KM Rifatuzzaman told reporters that three foreign players will be allowed to take part in the playing XI, unlike previous years when four were allowed. ''Yes, you can say that we are confirmed by the board to take part in BPL. We came here to talk with BCB and they told us that we will be representing our Chattogram Challengers,'' said Rifatuzzaman.
''In the last edition, there was a provision of playing four overseas players while in this edition three players will be taking part for each franchise. The date for the draft is yet to be finalised and once it is finalised we would be more organised. You know that the players' draft of PSL is taking place today, and after it is completed we can have a clear picture about the availability of the foreign players in the competition and can let you know who we are going to confirm,'' he added.
The BPL will take place from January 20th to February 20th, 2022. As things stand, it competes with the PSL, which starts on January 27. Sheikh Sohel said the BPL isn't worried about competing with the PSL.
He added that they are worried about the constantly evolving Covid-19 situation. "We are not worried about the PSL and we are expecting to host the players draft of this month but the only thing that we are worried about is the corona situation."