BCB may include foreign teams in BPL if they meet criteria

The Bangladesh Premier League (BPL) is set to return to its usual December-January slot this season, with the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) considering several new steps-including the possibility of foreign franchises joining it, reports UNB.
After a recent board meeting at the Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium in the city, BCB's Media Committee Chairman Iftekhar Rahman said that the decision to keep the tournament during winter months initially finalised.
He also said that BCB is exploring scope to appoint a foreign event management company to be tasked with organising the tournament.
In a bid to increase transparency, the BPL committee may now include individuals from outside the board.
While the number of participating teams has yet to be finalized, the BCB has announced plans to offer five-year franchise rights to interested parties.
If foreign companies meet the required standards, they too could own teams in the upcoming editions of the BPL.
BCB President Aminul Islam said venues for the BPL may also be expanded this season to make the tournament more accessible to fans around the country.
In other developments, the BCB has decided to resume the BCB Award Night, and plans are underway to launch new training programs.
BCB officials also said that former ICC Elite Panel umpire Simon Taufel has been appointed as an umpiring advisor for three years.