This season’s Bangladesh Premier League (BPL) was expected to be different from previous editions, but the reality didn’t meet those expectations. While the on-field action provided some relief, off-field controversies, criticism, and chaos stole the spotlight. From the outset, ticketing mismanagement plagued the tournament. Recently, players of Durbar Rajshahi canceled practice over unpaid salaries, an issue that Dhaka Capitals coach and former BCB director Khaled Mahmud Sujon described as “embarrassing.”
Speaking to the media on Friday (January 17) in Chattogram, Sujon expressed his disappointment over the ticketing chaos. He said, “What’s happening isn’t good at all. We’ve failed to organize a well-structured BPL. Ticketing issues, people shouting—how many people in Bangladesh can buy tickets online? Can a rickshaw-puller purchase tickets online? Won’t he watch the game? We haven’t reached that standard yet. We must think about the general public. Trying to stop black market sales has led to this situation, but has it solved the problem?”
Referring to the unpaid salaries, Sujon termed it a disgrace for the league, saying, “After six matches, a team is saying their players won’t play anymore because they haven’t been paid. This is truly embarrassing for us. Where’s the bank guarantee? Why isn’t the BCB breaking the guarantee to pay the players?”
He added, “My question is, what is the role of the BPL governing body? Forming a team requires a minimum of 8 crore takas. If I don’t have 8 crore takas, why would I buy a BPL team? I can’t buy it relying on sponsorships, which may or may not come through.”
Sujon’s candid remarks highlight the glaring issues in this year’s BPL, sparking further debate about the tournament’s management and structure.
