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Tamim Iqbal Rules Out BPL Until Financial Issues Are Resolved

Samira Vishwas | August 21, 2026 1:24 AM CST

The Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) president Tamim Iqbal has ruled out the possibility of hosting the upcoming edition of the BPL, which is scheduled to end in 2026.

He insisted that he is not ready to host the BPL unless fixing the financial losses the board occured during the last two editions of the tournament.

Speaking to media at Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium, Tamim said, “I have said it a few times that I don’t want to organise the BPL this way. One thing has to be said again. In one tournament, for the last two years, BCB has incurred losses of around 40 Crore Taka.”

“Franchise cricket is supposed to make money for Bangladesh Cricket Board. Not lose money, so something is going wrong. Until and unless we fix the issues, it is not absolutely important for us to host this event every year,” he said.

“Do we have the intention to do it? Hundred per cent. Do I want to rush it? Absolutely not,” he added. “I don’t think so. I don’t think BPL will be held this year,” he said.

“A tournament from which the BCB is supposed to make a profit is instead making losses. So until this is corrected, holding it every year is not important to me. We have the intention, but I do not want to rush. If it takes six, 12 or 24 months to do it properly, I will take that time.”

“We have started communication with the franchises. The issues involving those who defaulted have to be settled. The issues of missed payments and bank guarantees are being looked at step by step. We will organise the BPL only after taking the BCB to a profit-making position,” he said.

Tamim said the BPL is a top-quality cricket product with immense interest among spectators and supporters and that interest would grow further if the tournament is organised properly.The BPL is usually held in the December-January window. When asked whether there is a possibility of an alternative tournament being organised if the BPL is not held during that period this time.

He said once 60 to 70 per cent of the work is complete, an announcement will be made on how the domestic cricket calendar will be arranged, adding that the new plan would be quite different and attractive.

He also said that BCB was open to foreign franchises joining the BPL, saying a renowned overseas franchise could enhance the tournament’s credibility, although the board would first need to review policies and regulations.