The onus will be on the local players to make the 11th edition of the Bangladesh Premier League (BPL), scheduled to start today in Mirpur, a successful one as this year's tournament will see fewer foreign stars compared to the previous editions.

In previous years, star cricketers like Sunil Narine, Andre Russell, Jason Holder, and Imran Tahir, who are generally seen ruling the franchise tournaments across the world, featured for different BPL franchises but this year, none of these players will be playing in the country's sole franchise-based T20 tournament.

Even two of Bangladesh's biggest stars -- Shakib Al Hasan and Mashrafe Bin Mortaza, both of whom were lawmakers of the ousted Awami League government -- are unlikely to participate in the tournament following the change in the political atmosphere in the aftermath of the July uprising.

However, according to Tamim Iqbal, skipper of defending champions Fortune Barishal, the tournament can still be a success, but only if the players are able to step up.

"Cricket on the field depends on how the players are performing," said Tamim during a pre-tournament press conference yesterday.

"The organisers are here to give the best of the facilities, to provide the best of the wickets and to make sure you get the best commentators in the world and to ensure the best technology.

"But they can't decide whether the matches will see 200 runs or only 60 runs. Teams and players have to take the responsibility. If we can do our job properly, I think it will be a successful tournament," Tamim added.

Although there are foreign stars like Shaheen Shah Afridi of Pakistan, England's Jason Roy and Alex Hales, and Afghan star Mohammad Nabi, they will not be available for the entirety of the tournament. They will be leaving to participate in other foreign leagues such as ILT20, SA20, and Big Bash League, which are clashing with BPL this year.

What will lend some hope to franchises that will lose big names during the tournament is that the National Cricket League T20, held in Sylhet ahead of the BPL, saw a number of local players come up with brilliant performances.

Mohammad Naim, Jishan Alam, Nurul Hasan Sohan, Habibur Rahman Sohan, and Azizul Hakim Tamim showcased their batting prowess while Alauddin Babu, Ahmed Sharif, Rakibul Hasan, Aliss Al Islam, and Abu Hider proved their mettle with the ball in the NCL T20, played as a prelude to BPL.

Most of the national players, who failed to participate in the NCL T20 due to their national team commitments, will also be available for the BPL. And the expectations on them will be to take the tournament forward in the absence of star foreign players.