Cricket is not just a sport in Southeast Asia; it has become part of the cultural fabric of these nations. People in countries like India, Bangladesh, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka have long accepted the English gentleman’s game as their own.
The introduction of T20 cricket in 2003 marked one of the most significant shifts in the cricketing world. Gone were the days when five-day and one-day formats ruled the international stage. With just 20 overs per inning and the winner concluded within 5 hours, the quick format of T20 cricket impressed all lovers of the sport.
T20 cricket represents high-octane, intense cricket played at breakneck intensity, which takes the thrill and entertainment of cricket to the next level. However, the introduction of the Indian Premier League (IPL) in 2008 changed how T20 cricket is consumed and played globally.
The IPL introduced a franchise format of cricket where players from different countries could be drafted to different teams, much like club football. These franchises fought it out with each other in a league format, and the top teams would play in the finals to determine the eventual winners.
The format proved to be a huge success in India. Many betting sites like MCW Malayasia cashed on the popularity by offering betting on IPL playoffs.
The success of the IPL sent different countries looking for their own version of the IPL. In 2012, the Bangladesh Premier League was established to capture the cricket fanfare in the country.
In this article, we will take a deep dive into the history of the Bangladesh Premier League. Read on as we discuss its inception, significant highs and lows, and the league’s current state.
Inception & Early Years
Ever since the success of the IPL, the top brass of the Bangladesh Cricket Board have been exploring ways to emulate what their Indian counterparts have created. However, the big stumbling block for the BCB was how the league would be financed.
After much deliberation, on January 18, 2012, the BCB struck a deal with the Game on Sports Group worth Rs. 350 crore to establish a six-year franchise tournament. Six franchises representing major cities in Bangladesh were up for auction. A total of thirteen companies participated in the auction process, with six teams going to the highest bidders.
The Bangladesh Premier League followed a draft system for the player auction process where each franchise could bid on different national and international players. On January 9, 2012, the league’s first edition took off with a spectacular opening event at the Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium.
After a gruelling month of T20 cricket, the Dhaka Gladiators and Barisal Burners met in the finals, which was eventually won by the team from Dhaka. The league’s first edition was a massive hit as it showcased some of the best cricket players in Bangladesh and the rest of the world. Bangladeshi all-rounder Shakib Al Hasan put in some crucial performances that earned him the Player of the Tournament honour.
For the second season of the BPL, a new team, Rangpur Riders, was added to the league, making it a seven-team league. The 2013 season of the BPL was again dominated by the team from the capital, as the Dhaka Gladiators won their second title by defeating the Chittagong Kings.
To date, there have been eight editions of the Bangladesh Premier League, which has provided innumerable highs and some significant lows, which we will unpack in the following sections of the article.
The Incredible Highs
The Bangladesh Premier League has been like a breath of fresh air for cricket nationwide. Yet, the league has had some drawbacks and controversies. Let us take a look at some of these positives.
- National Players Performances: Bangladesh, as a cricketing nation, has always been a mainstay in most international cricketing events. Thanks to some of the fine cricket players they have produced over the years and throughout the BPL, established Bangladeshi players have given a good account of themselves.
Players like Shakib Al Hasan, Tamim Iqbal, and Mushfiqur Rahim have all been mainstays and star performers for their respective franchises. Former Bangladesh skipper Mashrafe Mortaza is the most successful captain, winning the league four times (Dhaka Gladiators 2012, 2013; Comilla Victorians 2015; Rangpur Riders 2017).
- International Star Players: The most significant advantage of franchise cricket is that fans can witness international players play for their respective teams. In this context, the Bangladesh Premier League had no shortage of international players.
Players from countries like the West Indies, England, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka have all played in the BPL, providing the league with international flair and star power. International cricket stalwarts like Chris Gayle, Kumar Sangakarra, Andre Russell, and Md. Amir has lit up the league with their cricketing skills.
- Emerging Talent: Another advantage of having regular franchise cricket is that it helps develop young players. Youngsters who lack proper experience learn a lot during the league games as they regularly brush shoulders with cricketing greats during the league season.
Bangladesh players like Mehidy Hasan Mirza, Afif Hossain, and Mustafizur Rehman were reasonably unknown. However, on the back of stellar performances during multiple league seasons, they have gone on to represent Bangladesh on the national stage.
The Disappointing Lows
Ever since its inception, some controversies have been associated with the Bangladesh Premier League. It would be naive to look past these controversies, as they form a part of the league’s overall history.
- Match-Fixing Scandal: The 2013 season of the Bangladesh Premier League was marred by controversy as there was speculation of match-fixing. On February 2, during the match between Dhaka Gladiators and Chittagong Kings, Md. Ashraful was alleged to have deliberately lost the match. Further, he was also reported to have deliberately lost another match against the Barisal Burners.
The ICC’s Anti-Corruption Unit investigated the situation, and Md. Ashraful confessed his involvement in the match-fixing scandal. This revelation shocked the entire cricketing world, and eventually, Md. Ashraful was banned from all forms of cricket. The owners of the Dhaka Gladiators got a lifetime ban by the BPL governing committee as they were also found guilty in the same match-fixing scandal.
- Payment Disputes: Payment disputes have been a rampant problem throughout the existence of the Bangladesh Premier League. It was alleged that during the 2013 season, all six teams delayed paying domestic and foreign players their salaries. It led to a bad name for the league on the international stage, and some players chose to take legal action against the league.
This problem peaked during the controversial second season, which forced the Bangladesh Cricket Board to intervene. They found that all six teams involved were guilty and swiftly suspended them. Due to this controversy, the 2014 edition of the BPL never took place.
To Conclude
The Bangladesh Premier League has had a chequered history ever since its inception; however, we must remember the positive aspects of the league. After the mishaps of the 2013 season, the Bangladesh Cricket Board made wholesale changes to the league structure and administration.
Once the league resumed in 2015, it became a much more secure organisation. New franchises have been established, and the league is slowly making its name. Bangladesh Premier League fans can check out exciting BPL betting markets at MCW for all the upcoming matches.
