Khulna Tigers Eliminated From First Stage of Franchise Selection

Khulna Tigers have been dropped from the first stage of the Bangladesh Premier League (BPL) franchise selection process, confirmed BPL Governing Council member secretary Iftekhar Rahman Mithu.

Speaking to the media after the Third Governing Council meeting on Sunday, Mithu said the decision followed a review conducted by the Legal Division, a consulting firm, and a chartered accountant firm, which evaluated 11 Expressions of Interest (EOIs).

“These three companies—SQ Sports (Chattogram Kings), Banglamark Limited (Noakhali), and Mind Tree Consortium (Khulna)—failed to meet mandatory requirements, including the Tk 2 crore pay order and submission of key company documents,” Mithu explained.

He added that the final list of eligible companies will be announced on Tuesday (November 4) after completion of the second-stage evaluation. “We have now shortlisted from 11 to 8. The process is ongoing, and more disqualifications may occur. We will not award any team by force,” he stated.

On the legal front, Mithu informed that SQ Sports’ injunction against the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) over Chattogram Kings has been stayed by the Appellate Division, allowing the board to assign the franchise to any company meeting the required terms and conditions.

“The board is prioritising timely player payments, anti-corruption measures, and integrity. Only companies fulfilling these standards will receive five-year franchise contracts,” Mithu stressed.

Meanwhile, the BCB is scheduled to hold a board meeting on Monday, where the BPL franchise selection and the first-ever Bangladesh Cricket Conference will be among the key agenda items.