Tamim puts BPL on hold, promises new domestic cricket model

The Bangladesh Cricket Board has decided to keep the Bangladesh Premier League on hold this year, but president Tamim Iqbal insists the move is not a retreat from franchise cricket. Instead, he says the board wants to use the break to rebuild the tournament and strengthen domestic cricket.

Speaking at an emergency press conference in Mirpur on Thursday, Tamim said the decision was made after assessing the financial and structural problems surrounding the BPL in recent years.

"This year, because the BPL is not happening, there has been a financial impact. But I never wanted a one-year solution for the cricketers," Tamim said. "I wanted a solution that benefits the players year after year."

BCB president says domestic match fees will be doubled as the board seeks a long-term solution for players and a cleaner, more sustainable BPL

The BCB has moved to increase domestic match fees to soften the financial blow for players who would otherwise have earned from the BPL.

First-class cricketers will now receive Tk 150,000 per match, up from Tk 70,000. The fee for List A matches has been doubled from Tk 50,000 to Tk 100,000, while T20 match fees will rise from Tk 40,000 to Tk 80,000.

Tamim said the revised structure could allow a player who completes a full domestic season to earn around Tk 35-40 lakh.

"We had two meetings with the Cricketers' Welfare Association of Bangladesh. They gave a proposal, we gave a counter-proposal, and then we met again," he said. "Everyone is very happy. A player playing the full domestic season will get Tk 35-40 lakh a year."

The BCB president also stressed that the benefits should not be limited to a small group of players.

"Why only 60 cricketers? If we do it, it has to be for everyone who plays. It has to be for the women cricketers as well. It has to be for everyone," Tamim said.

He made it clear that the BPL has not been abandoned permanently. Rather, the board wants to return with a competition that is better organised and financially viable.

"We will try to organise a beautiful, clean BPL," Tamim said. "If it takes a little time and some people are disappointed, I accept that."

The decision comes after the BCB suffered significant financial losses from the BPL over the last two seasons. Tamim had previously said the board lost around Tk 40 crore during that period and that he did not want to continue running the tournament in the same way.

At the same time, Tamim called for greater professionalism from domestic players. The increased financial support, he said, must be matched by stronger commitment from the cricketers.

"In first-class cricket, there is a lot of discussion about professionalism. There will be no compromise on that," he said.

The BCB now plans to use the coming months to work on a new domestic structure while preparing the ground for a revamped BPL.

For Tamim, the immediate priority is to ensure that the absence of the franchise tournament does not weaken the domestic game. 

His larger objective is to build a system in which players can earn better, play more meaningful cricket and the BPL can eventually return on a stronger financial and administrative footing.