The opening call of the Bangladesh Premier League (BPL) auction has sent excitement surging as intense bidding broke out for Mohammad Naim Sheikh, report agencies.
On Sunday, the contest climbed 13 increments above his base price before finally settling, more than doubling his pay. In contrast, Bangladesh T20 captain Litton Kumer Das triggered little competition.
Placed in Category A with a base price of Tk 5 million, Naim was signed by the new franchise Chattogram Royals for Tk 11 million. Litton, carrying the same category and base price, was picked up by the Rangpur Riders for Tk 7 million.
More action unfolded over Towhid Hridoy. Listed in Category B with a base price of Tk 3.5 million, he was secured by Rangpur Riders for Tk 9.2 million. Dhaka Capitals signed aggressive batter Shamim Hossain for Tk 5.6 million.
Ahead of the auction, only Naim and Litton remained in Category A after direct signings. Naim's name came up first in the lottery. Sylhet Titans opened the bidding, with Tk 500,000 added at each call. Rangpur joined the contest early, followed by new franchise Noakhali Express. Chattogram were yet to appear on the scene.
Chattogram entered the race with Tk 8 million. After a fierce battle with Sylhet, they snapped up the left-handed opener. In the previous BPL season, Naim had scored 511 runs for Khulna Tigers at an average of 42.58 and a strike rate of nearly 194.
Litton followed next. Sylhet sparred briefly before Rangpur picked him up.
Hridoy attracted a similar contest to Naim, with Rangpur signing him for more than twice his base price.
Sylhet Titans secured Syed Khaled Ahmed -- who impressed for Chattogram Kings in the last edition of the BPL -- for Tk 4.7 million.
Midway through the auction, the biggest surprise proved to be Mohammad Mithun. Despite a subdued form over the past three BPL seasons, Dhaka Capitals and Noakhali Express fought hard for him. Listed at Tk 2.2 million, the batter eventually went to Dhaka for Tk 5.2 million.
Mohammad Saifuddin also stirred excitement at the table, with Dhaka Capitals signing the pace-bowling all-rounder for Tk 6.8 million.
A contest unfolded for speedster Nahid Rana as well, with Rangpur Riders reclaiming him for Tk 5.6 million.
Noakhali Express picked up Jaker Ali and Mahidul Islam Ankon at their base price of Tk 3.5 million.
Dhaka Capitals secured left-arm spinner Taijul Islam for Tk 3 million. Rajshahi Warriors were thrilled to land rising fast bowler Ripon Mondol -- one of the standouts at the recent Rising Stars Asia Cup -- for Tk 2.5 million.
Dhaka also signed batsman Sabbir Rahman, who has long been out of the national side, for Tk 2.8 million.
Meanwhile, veteran stars Mahmudullah Riyad and Mushfiqur Rahim have finally found teams in the ongoing BPL 2026 Auction after initially going unsold. Both were listed in Category B and surprisingly didn't attract any bids when their names first came up.
However, their names were reintroduced later, and this time the franchises did not hesitate. Even according to rules, if unsold players reintroduced again, then they had to downgrade to one lower category for that bid. But the franchises requested not to downgrade the duo out of respect,
Then, Mahmudullah was picked by Rangpur Riders for his base price of Tk 3.5 million (35 lakh), while Mushfiqur Rahim was snapped up by Rajshahi at the same starting amount. The two experienced campaigners now join the BPL 12 season with new energy and renewed confidence.
A total of 158 Bangladeshi cricketers entered the auction across six categories:
2 players in Category A, 12 in B, 17 in C, 26 in D, 38 in E and 63 in F.
Alongside them, 267 overseas players were listed:
45 in Category A, 25 in B, 62 in C, 29 in D and 106 in E.
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