The BPL players’ auction will be held on November 30, and ahead of the event, the full list of foreign players has been revealed. A total of 245 overseas cricketers have been placed in different categories.

Several big names have already been signed through pre-auction picks — Alex Hales, Usman Khan (Dhaka Capitals), Abrar Ahmed (Chattogram Royals), Kusal Mendis (Noakhali Express), and Saim Ayub, Moeen Ali, Mohammad Amir, and Azmatullah Omarzai (Sylhet Titans).

Category Breakdown

The A category has 40 top players, including Shoaib Malik, Dasun Shanaka, Angelo Mathews, Johnson Charles, and Maheesh Theekshana. Category B has 22 players, while C, D, and E have 60, 25, and 98 players.

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All names, countries, and roles have been listed clearly under each group. The list also includes players from Pakistan, Sri Lanka, West Indies, Afghanistan, Zimbabwe, the UK, Ireland, South Africa, Australia, UAE, Nepal, the Netherlands, and the USA. Foreign stars like Johnson Charles, Keemo Paul, Zaman Khan, Dushmantha Chameera, Josh Little, Sheldon Cottrell, and many others are part of this year’s auction pool.

Category A (40 Players)

Category B (22 Players)

Category C (60 Players)

Category D (25 Players)

Chattogram Royals have made a big signing ahead of the 12th season of the Bangladesh Premier League (BPL). Abrar Ahmed, a mystery spinner from Pakistan, has officially joined the team. He is their first foreign player of the season.

Abrar is known for his tricky variations and good control in longer formats, so he will help Chattogram a lot with their spin attack. The 25-year-old has been on the radar of many BPL teams after his strong performances in international cricket. Chattogram managed to sign him before the competition for him increased.

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More Signings for Chattogram

Along with Abrar, Chattogram earlier signed Bangladesh all-rounder Mahedi Hasan. The experienced all-rounder is a valuable player in all formats. He gives the team strong power-hitting and reliable off-spin.

চট্টগ্রাম রয়্যালস দলে পাকিস্তানের মিস্ট্রি স্পিনার আবরার আহমদ#BangladeshCricket #BDCricTime pic.twitter.com/AXKo6MpiYv

— bdcrictime.com (@BDCricTime) November 25, 2025

BPL Teams Start Building Squads

This season’s BPL is going through big changes. There will be 6 teams in the league, and the competition has already shifted because of changes in ownership.

Other teams have also started building their squads. Dhaka Capitals have signed Saif Hassan, Taskin Ahmed and Alex Hales. Rajshahi Warriors have picked Tanzid Hasan Tamim. Rangpur Riders have signed Mustafizur Rahman. Sylhet Titans are in the news after signing Moeen Ali, Kusal Mendis, Azmatullah Omarzai and Mohammad Amir as their foreign players.

The Bangladesh Premier League is set for its 12th edition in 2026, and it is going to have a major overhaul with its very own players’ auction. This is a significant development since the auction dynamic returns after a long gap of 12 years. The BPL Governing Council confirmed November 23 as the auction date.

Notably, only the first two editions of the Bangladesh Premier League, which were held in 2012 and 2013, featured the auction system. The rest of the seasons up till the 2024-25 edition followed a players’ draft format. In an official statement released by the BPL Governing Council, the Board stated that they are aiming for a new franchise ownership cycle by introducing the bidding process, which aligns with international T20 franchise standards.

"Organised by the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) and the BPL Governing Council, this year's auction will mark the beginning of a new franchise ownership cycle, introducing a restructured and transparent bidding process designed to align the BPL with international T20 franchise standards," the statement read.

Auction Structure, Regulations, and Participating Franchises

As per the press release, the bids that franchisees can place will range from BDT 50,000 to BDT 5,00,000 across six local player categories and from $1,000 to $5,000 across five foreign overseas categories. As per the regulations released, each franchise must acquire at least 11 local and national players and a minimum of two overseas players through the auction. Besides, BPL has also allowed teams to directly sign up to two local players from Category A or B before the auction takes place.

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The local player purse has a limit of BDT 4.5 crore (excluding direct signings), while the overseas purse has a limit of $350,000, including direct signings. The statement further revealed that franchises will be allowed to register or replace overseas players during BPL 2025-26 after notifying the BPL Governing Council. As for the playing XI, each team can field a minimum of two and a maximum of four overseas players in the playing XI. As of now, five franchises, Dhaka Capitals, Chattogram Royals, Rajshahi Warriors, Rangpur Riders, and Sylhet Titans will be taking part in the 12th edition of the Bangladesh Premier League.

The upcoming season of the Bangladesh Premier League (BPL) will have five teams, confirmed the BPL Governing Council. The council also announced the official team names, and no further name changes are allowed.

Earlier, it was confirmed that five regional teams would play – Dhaka, Chattogram, Sylhet, Rangpur, and Rajshahi. Now, the BPL announced their official names: Dhaka Capitals, Chattogram Royals, Rajshahi Warriors, Rangpur Riders, and Sylhet Titans.

A total of 11 companies submitted bids to own the teams. After the first screening, three franchises were removed. They included SQ Sports (former owners of Chittagong Kings), Bangla Mark from Noakhali, and Mind Tree & Ruposhi Concrete Consortium, which previously represented Khulna.

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Sylhet Titans Sign Four International Stars

Sylhet Titans have started their Bangladesh Premier League (BPL) campaign by signing four international stars even before the players’ draft. The team confirmed that England’s Moeen Ali, Sri Lanka’s Kusal Mendis, Afghanistan’s Azmatullah Omarzai, and Pakistan’s Mohammad Amir have all joined through direct contracts.

Sylhet’s BPL teams have struggled to stay consistent and professional over the years. Even though some teams showed promise at times, none created a lasting identity. The most recent team, Sylhet Strikers, had some great moments but lost steam at the end of last season.

This time, the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) gave franchise ownership to Cricket With Sami, a group that wants to bring stability and long-term vision to Sylhet cricket. The team also changed its name to Sylhet Titans.

Coaching Panel and Team Strength

Although the Titans have not signed any local players yet, their international signings have drawn attention. Moeen Ali brings all-round skills, Kusal Mendis adds top-order stability, Omarzai shows emerging talent, and Mohammad Amir adds left-arm pace. This mix gives Sylhet a strong base for the upcoming BPL season.

The team also added two Bangladeshi coaches. Former national opener and successful BPL captain Imrul Kayes will be the batting coach. Former Bangladesh pacer Syed Rasel will serve as the pace-bowling coach.

Franchises Begin Preparations for BPL

The newly confirmed franchises – Dhaka Capitals, Chattogram Royals, Rajshahi Warriors, Rangpur Riders, and Sylhet Titans – will now start preparations for the tournament’s upcoming start.

There is a major update from the Bangladesh Premier League (BPL) as the number of teams and the tournament timeline for the next edition have been revealed. 

Next BPL will run with 5 teams from mid-December to mid-January

While the T20 leagues are dominating world cricket, the ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2026 timeline has also put the upcoming BPL edition under pressure. India and Sri Lanka will jointly host the upcoming men's T20 World Cup in February and March 2026. So, the BPL 2025/26 will run between mid-December and mid-January, unlike the previous editions that stretched to at least February. 

The BPL GC secretary Iftikhar Rahman Mithu has also confirmed that they will comfortably run the BPL 2025/26 season within the new timeline with five teams. Since the inaugural edition of the BPL in 2012, the lowest number of teams participating in a tournament was six, which happened thrice (2012, 2015, and 2022). However, the GC secretary also added that the tournament could return to six or seven teams in the future.

According to the latest Cricbuzz report, the last two-time champions Fortune Barishal may not participate in the forthcoming BPL edition. Their captain Tamim Iqbal recently said that they won't participate in any cricket tournament under the leadership of Aminul Islam Bulbul after terming his position as the President of the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) illegal. 

However, hopeful Iftikhar has requested the latest two-time BPL champions to stay in the upcoming BPL edition. He said, "My request is that it would be good if they (Fortune Barishal team) come. I can't force anyone to come. We welcome them; they have run their team well and we have never had any complaints. So, we always want well-managed teams like theirs to participate. We are open, but we can't force anyone."

The Bangladesh Premier League (BPL) is currently being played across its three usual venues — Dhaka, Chattogram, and Sylhet. The Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) is now thinking about expanding the tournament by adding another venue.

The update came from BCB Director and Head of Cricket Operations, Nazmul Abedeen Fahim, who spoke to the media during a warm-up match between the Bangladesh Tigers and the High Performance (HP) Unit in Chattogram.

Bangladesh’s only franchise-based T20 tournament has often faced criticism, with many asking for modernization and reform. In response, the BCB is again promising to improve the BPL. Under the leadership of governing council member Mahbub Anam, the board is taking planned steps to raise the BPL’s profile on the global stage.

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BCB Plans to Add a New Venue in the Next BPL Season

While a full home-and-away format in the BPL is not yet possible, BCB Director and Head of Cricket Operations, Nazmul Abedeen Fahim, said that adding one more venue for the upcoming edition would be a big step forward.

“It might not be possible right away, since preparing a venue takes time. But yes, we're considering it. If we can move from three to four venues this year, it would be fantastic,” Fahim said.

He added, “Looking ahead, if more grounds are made ready and included, BPL can move to the next level.” The BCB had earlier shown interest in expanding the BPL beyond its regular cities so that more fans across the country can watch live matches and to improve regional cricket facilities. Barishal and Rajshahi stadiums are under consideration, while Bogura’s Shaheed Chandu Stadium is unlikely due to logistical and infrastructure problems. Fahim said the goal is to add one new venue every year so that eventually each BPL team will have its home ground.

Possible Asia Cup Impact and Event Management Changes

The warm-up match between the Bangladesh Tigers and the HP Unit led to questions about whether good performances there could affect selection for the Asia Cup 2025. Fahim explained that while there is no direct link, standout players could still catch the selectors’ eye.

“Not directly. There are players here who could make the Asia Cup squad if they get a chance. But that’s up to the selectors. One or two names might be considered, but the focus here is on prospects—players who may soon challenge those in the national team,” he said.

In another major move, the BCB is planning to hand over BPL event management to an external company. On July 10, they invited event management firms to submit their interest. Five companies responded, including four from abroad.

Among the interested companies, the most well-known is IMG, which managed the Indian Premier League (IPL) from 2008 to 2021. The IPG Group, which organises the Pakistan Super League (PSL), is also in the running. The other contenders are Apex Sports Consulting, Real Impact and Absolute Legends Sports, and Mind Tree Limited and Transport Group. The BCB is expected to choose the final event organiser soon.

The Bangladesh Premier League (BPL) has long faced criticism for delayed player payments, disorganized tournament schedules, and weak broadcasting. But change may finally be coming.

International sports broadcasting company IPG Group, which has experience organizing leagues like the IPL, CPL, and LPL, has shown strong interest in managing the upcoming BPL season. Their aim is to fix the league’s structure and bring it up to global standards.

Speaking to the media, IPG’s CEO Anil Mohan said, “BPL is actually a fantastic league. But over the years, its model and management haven’t been handled properly. This league has more potential than many in the subcontinent. The current model needs fixing, there are issues, but we can solve them.”

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IPG Plans to Bring Global Standards to BPL

IPG has been successfully running the Lanka Premier League (LPL) for the past five years, managing everything from team ownership and sponsorships to production and broadcasting. “If you’ve seen LPL’s production quality, you’ll understand the level I’m talking about,” said Mohan.

Mohan believes that ownership and player consistency are key to improving the BPL. “You need the right owners and the right players every year. Timing is also critical. If BPL clashes with other leagues like IPL or PSL, you lose top talent. Fixing the schedule will bring in more sponsors and higher player participation,” he added.

Mohan praised the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB), saying it is “better than many” in terms of financial and commercial strength. “They’re better than Sri Lanka’s board in many ways. I’ve worked globally in South Africa, Pakistan, Zimbabwe, the USA, and Ireland, and I can confidently say BCB is well-positioned. That’s why I believe we can make BPL a top-tier league.”

New Franchise Structure for the Next Season

On foreign investment and team ownership, Mohan said, “The main idea is to bring in better owners, ideally from markets like the UK. That will lead to higher spending, better management, and more sponsor interest. Right now, BPL is falling behind. Media rights, scheduling, and player recruitment all need realignment. If we fix these, top players will want to come.”

IPG is currently in talks with the BCB to secure a management role in the tournament. They plan to use their global experience to work with the board and fix the system if needed.

The BPL Governing Council has ended contracts with the previous franchises. As a result, the upcoming season, likely to be held in December 2025 through January 2026, will start with an entirely new franchise structure.

Fortune Barishal, the reigning champions of the last two editions, will also need to reapply under the new system.

After the July 10 board meeting, BCB director and head of the BPL Governing Council, Mahbub Anam, spoke to the media about the problems with the BPL schedule. While the caretaker government has advised to prepare for elections by December, the actual voting could happen anytime between February and April.

Mahbub said, “If the election happens in December, we might need to shift the tournament to a later time.”

He also made it clear that even with this uncertainty, BCB will continue its work as planned. This includes team planning, marketing, and media rights deals. He added, “Two things are happening. First, we are going ahead with our internal process. Second, the government has asked us to be ready for elections by December. As the date gets closer, we will have a better idea. If we can't host the tournament in December-January, we have another option in May.”

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BPL May Shift Due to Election and Global Cricket Calendar

The possible change in the BPL schedule comes after an emergency board meeting held at the Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium, just a day after Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus directed officials to complete all election preparations by the end of this year. Though general elections in Bangladesh are expected in early 2026, planning must start now. If the new schedule is confirmed, the BPL will directly clash with IPL 2026, PSL 2026, and even the ICC T20 World Cup 2026, which India and Sri Lanka will host in February.

Mahbub Anam Promises Big Changes for BPL

Mahbub Anam, the new BPL chairman, said that the league must raise its standards. He admitted that there were some problems in the past and said that BCB takes full responsibility. “We’ll try to increase the brand value of BPL,” he said.

🏏 Bangladesh Premier League might be held at the same time as IPL and PSL next year due to the T20 World Cup and the elections in the country.

(Geo News)#Cricket pic.twitter.com/9PIoXnVyUS

— Ramzy 🇵🇰🇬🇧 (@Ramz_004) July 11, 2025

He also said that the board is looking to add more venues besides Dhaka, Chattogram, and Sylhet. “If new venues meet ICC standards and provide good accommodation for players, we will include them,” Mahbub added.

Mahbub admitted that hosting the BPL in May could cause scheduling issues with both the IPL and PSL, but said BCB is keeping both windows open. “Our planning will not stop,” he said.

BCB to Involve All Stakeholders

To improve the BPL and make it more inclusive, Mahbub said that BCB will speak with key stakeholders, including media professionals, players, coaches, franchise owners, sponsors, and even fans. “From next week, we’ll start discussions to get feedback from all sides. We also want to know what the fans expect from the BPL,” Mahbub added.