Preparations under scrutiny as BPL begins amid franchise instability
The Bangladesh Premier League’s twelfth edition has begun under a cloud of administrative uncertainty, with concerns over franchise readiness and logistical preparedness surfacing even before the first ball has been bowled. Events unfolding in Sylhet on Thursday have added to that unease, placing the spotlight on whether new franchises were adequately equipped for the tournament’s opening week.
Noakhali Express, one of four teams introduced this season and the last franchise to be confirmed, found itself at the centre of the controversy after an issue during a scheduled training session at the Sylhet International Cricket Stadium, just a day before their opening match.
Coaching staff protest highlights training shortcomings
The situation escalated when Noakhali Express head coach Khaled Mahmud Sujan arrived for training and discovered that the team had been provided with an insufficient number of balls for the session, according to ESPNcricinfo. The shortage of basic training equipment led to mounting frustration, which ultimately resulted in an on-field protest involving both Sujan and assistant coach Talha Jubair.
A standard training session typically requires between 15 and 20 good-quality cricket balls, but Noakhali had brought only three. According to BD Digest, each ball can cost between ৳10,000 and ৳15,000 (approx. US$81.70 to US$122.60), making the shortfall not just a logistical issue but a potential indicator of budget constraints or lack of preparedness from the franchise.
“I will not work in the BPL under these circumstances. I have never seen this in the BPL before,” Sujan told reporters while leaving the stadium in a local auto-rickshaw.
He followed that up with a stronger declaration shortly afterward: “I will not do the BPL. I am leaving.”
When asked about the team’s situation following his departure, Sujan added, “There are many coaches, they will get them.”
Players continue training as franchise challenges emerge
Despite the departure of the coaching staff, Noakhali’s players remained at the venue and continued their preparations. The squad includes several high-profile names, among them Johnson Charles, Kusal Mendis, Mohammad Nabi, Hasan Mahmud, Soumya Sarkar and Jaker Ali, underscoring the contrast between the quality of playing personnel and the issues surrounding operational readiness.
The episode occurred against the backdrop of wider franchise instability, with the Bangladesh Cricket Board having stepped in earlier the same day to take control of Chattogram Royals after their owners, Triangle Services Limited, withdrew citing lack of sponsorship interest.
Coach returns and tempers cool
Later in the day, Sujan returned to the stadium and sought to de-escalate the situation, describing the incident as a misunderstanding.
“It was a misunderstanding,” he told reporters.
Reflecting further on the episode, Sujan acknowledged his reaction, saying, “I think I may have overreacted in the moment. There were not enough facilities in training. I didn’t get the equipments I needed. That’s when I lost my temper. I think I behaved poorly at that instance. I want to thank the owners. I spoke to them. The BCB have also spoken to me.”
While the immediate tension eased, uncertainty remains over how the episode may affect Noakhali’s preparations as the season gets underway.
BCB monitors situation amid broader concerns
According to ESPNcricinfo, the incident has drawn the attention of the Bangladesh Cricket Board, with senior officials reviewing the circumstances surrounding the training disruption. The walk-out comes at a sensitive time for the league, which has already seen multiple late changes to its franchise lineup.
With the BPL launching amid questions over governance, franchise stability and logistical standards, the events in Sylhet have reinforced concerns that off-field issues could threaten to overshadow the cricket itself if not addressed swiftly.
