Mustafizur Rahman up for grabs as an icon player for BPL-5

Bangladesh fast bowling sensation Mustafizur Rahman will be the 8th icon player in the Bangladesh Premier League. The fast bowler missed out in the previous edition of the BPL due to an injury but is now expected to fetch a huge sum before August 24, when the franchises are supposed to announce their icon and retained players from last year.

Eight teams to participate in BPL this year

The BPL will be an eight team affair this year as compared to seven last season. Besides Mustafizur; Mashrafe Mortaza, Shakib Al Hasan, Mushfiqur Rahim, Sabbir Rahman, Soumya Sarkar, Mahmudullah Riyad and Tamim Iqbal are the other 7 icon players for this cash-rich league. BPL secretary Ismail Haider Mallick has said that only the icon players have the right to decide which team to play for.

It is learned that Mashrafe Mortaza, Mahmudullah, and Tamim Iqbal have already signed for Rangpur Riders, Khulna Titans, and Comilla Victorians respectively. According to ESPNcricinfo, Shakib Al Hasan will remain with Dhaka Dynamites, who won the title last year under the captaincy of the all-rounder. Mushfiqur Rahim is said to be in talks with last year’s finalists Rajshahi Kings. Barisal Bulls, Chittagong Vikings, and Sylhet remain without an icon player and have the option of negotiating with Sabbir Rahman, Soumya Sarkar, and Mustafizur Rahim.

“There were seven teams last year so the number of A-plus players was seven too,” Mallick said. “Since Sylhet has been added, we have increased the category by adding Mustafizur Rahman. We have also opened up the market for the A-plus players. Bangladesh team’s senior players had raised the issue with the BCB president last year saying that since they are experienced cricketers, they should not be paid a fixed amount. I feel they will also be paid well this time.”

An extra overseas player permitted in XI

The BPL governing body also announced that a maximum of 5 and minimum of 3 foreign players can be fielded during a game from this year. Until last season, a maximum of 4 overseas players were allowed to be in the Playing XI.

“We were under pressure from the franchises who gave us in a written statement that they want five foreigners in the XI,” he said. “We, the BPL governing council, also feel the same since there are now eight teams.

“A franchise can sign as many foreign players as they want, and whenever they want. We have not put any restrictions on it.”

Mallick also informed that the mega event will commence from November 2 instead of the scheduled date November 4. Defending champions Dhaka Dynamites will feature in the tournament opener at the Shere Bangla National Stadium in Mirpur. The first draft for the event will be held on September 16, where each franchise will have to sign 13 local and two overseas players each.