With a surprising announcement, the star Bangladeshi wicketkeeper-batsman, Mushfiqur Rahim, has found a new home in the upcoming season of the Bangladesh Premier League (BPL) in 2024.
Rahim, a Category A player with a price cap of TK 80 lakh, went through the BPL auction without any takers for a direct signing. His previous team, Sylhet Sixers, chose not to retain him, and other franchises also overlooked him.
However, Fortune Barishal emerged as the savior for Mushfiqur Rahim, securing his services for the forthcoming season. This move has raised quite a few eyebrows in the cricketing world, as Rahim was the sole local player in Category A. It’s a testament to his talent and experience that Barishal was willing to invest in him.
On the other side of the auction, Rangpur Riders made an interesting choice by picking Rony Talukdar from the player draft. Meanwhile, prominent players like Mominul Haque and batter Sabbir Rahman faced disappointment as they went unnoticed in the player draft. Haque, categorized in Category C with a price cap of Tk 30 lakh, and Rahman, in Category E with a price cap of Tk 15 lakh, found no takers.
With the BPL auction now concluded, attention turns to the defending champions, Comilla Victorians. Head coach Mohammad Salahuddin expressed confidence in their squad and their ability to defend the title. He also highlighted the acquisition of Rahkeem Cornwall in the draft, emphasizing the balance he would bring to their team.
“We have a very balanced side, and we are hopeful to defend the title. He (Cornwall) will certainly bring balance to our squad, and we are delighted to get him in the player’s auction,” Salahuddin stated.
Another intriguing aspect to watch out for is the potential inclusion of Pakistani players in the BPL. An official from the event indicated that they expect Pakistani players to be available for a significant duration of the tournament.
This possibility arises due to the delay of the Pakistan Super League (PSL) caused by elections. While suggestions of shifting the PSL schedule have been discussed, it is worth noting that PSL franchises have reservations about such a move.