BPL may shift to January due to general elections

The franchise-based 6th Bangladesh Premier League (BPL) 2018-19, scheduled to begin in October, is likely to be deferred to January next year due to the upcoming general election, reports UNB.

Member secretary of BPL Governing Council Ismail Haider Mallick told reporters on Wednesday that it will be tough to provide adequate security to seven BPL teams in three venues across the country just before the general election. "As most of the forces will remain busy with the country's election, it'll be challenging for us to arrange BPL as per the schedule."

Some of the BPL team owners will directly be involved in the elections. Owners of Khulna Titans, Rajshahi Kings, Sylhet Sixers and Cumilla Victorians are MPs and a minister.

"We're more focused on the security. We can't provide every team with enough police or security forces. I think we'll take a decision within a week, but there's likelihood of a delay although we can't still rule out the possibility of hosting BPL on schedule," Ismail said.

"If we don't get sufficient security, we'll have to hold the tournament after the elections. So, we're eyeing to arrange the BPL in January," he added.