Barisal Bulls out of BPL 2017

The Bangladesh Premier League (BPL) governing council has ousted franchise Barisal Bulls from this year’s tournament, reportedly because of a failure to comply with financial terms.

This means that like last year’s competition, there will be seven teams this year, as Sylhet is expected to come back into the fold under a new name and new ownership.

The decision was taken at a meeting of the governing council at a club in the capital, where Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) president Nazmul Hassan was also present. 

"Since they have not met the financial terms and conditions, we have decided not enrol them in this year's BPL," BPL governing council member-secretary IH Mallick told The Daily Star over the phone. "We had extended the deadline twice for them, and both times they failed to comply."

Unlike most other franchises gearing up for this season, Barisal had not really reached an advanced stage in planning and forming their squad, although it was confirmed that young Bangladesh pace bowling star Mustafizur Rahman would be their icon player.

"We have not yet finalised it, but there will likely be an open auction where Mustafizur will be assigned a base price and the franchises will bid on him," Mallick added. 

Recently, in mid-July, Barisal Bulls owner MA Awal Chowdhury made disparaging remarks about Mushfiqur Rahim, who led Barisal in 2016 and has now shifted to Rangpur Riders as its icon player for 2017.