Pakistani cricketer Muhammad Rizwan, a key player for the Comilla Victorians in the ongoing Bangladesh Premier League (BPL), has offered a distinctive perspective on the league's trajectory, calling for comprehensive reforms to elevate it to the standards set by other renowned global franchise leagues.
As the BPL marks its tenth season, Rizwan's viewpoint sheds light on its evolution over the years. Initially touted as the world's second-best franchise league after the cash-rich Indian Premier League (IPL), recent seasons have seen a shift in focus towards internal improvements rather than an emphasis on global rankings.
BPL 2024: Babar, Omarzai, and Nabi to leave Rangpur Riders
“To be honest, BPL has to take steps ahead if it is compared to other leagues,” he said while interacting with the media on Monday. “This is only my honest opinion as a cricketer. I believe BCB knows how to improve BPL’s image.”
He also said that the challenges of BPL are different from leagues taking place in other regions like the UAE, Australia or South Africa.
BPL 2024: Sylhet Phase concludes with Rangpur rising to top 3
BPL has not been without its share of challenges. Discord, mismanagement, financial difficulties, and a perceived lack of professionalism have marred its reputation in recent seasons, impacting the overall image of the tournament.
While talking about running BPL according to the policy of the other leagues, which are making profits and generating global supporters, Ismail Haider Mallick, the member secretary of the BPL governing body, said on the eve of the commencement of this season that they would like to rely on their own system.
BPL 2024: Barishal stun high-flying Khulna with late surge for unlikely win
In a bid to enhance viewer attraction, BPL organizers have undertaken measures to improve television production. Including spider and buggy cameras and other enhancements aims to provide an enriched viewing experience for cricket enthusiasts.
The tenth season of BPL is currently at the halfway point. After a two-day break following the Sylhet phase, the country's premier T20 league is set to resume on Tuesday in Dhaka. Following this phase, the event will travel to Chattogram before its final phase in Dhaka.//