BPL 2017 regulations could hurt local uncapped players

Local uncapped talent will constitute only 16% of the total players in the Bangladesh Premier League this season - an all-time low - as a result of the BPL governing council's decision to allow franchises to field five overseas cricketers in an XI.

This is a throwback to the regulations used in 2012 and 2013, although back then the BPL was in its infancy still finding its feet as a T20 tournament. And yet, the local uncapped players constituted 26% of the pool in 2013 while the corresponding figure in the inaugural edition in 2012 was 23%. The year 2015 was an aberration: even with only four foreigners in an XI, the uncapped players count was as low as 20%.

When announcing the regulation earlier this year, the BPL governing council said it took the decision after consulting the participating franchises. Rajshahi Kings weren't in favour of the move.

Khulna Titans have the largest contingent of Bangladeshi uncapped players - seven - while Sylhet Sixers and Comilla Victorians have only three. Sylhet have signed three uncapped overseas players as well.

Dhaka Dynamites coach Khaled Mahmud was unsure if the move would benefit Bangladesh cricket, but he did say there aren't many players in the country who are explosive enough to play T20 cricket.

"I would call it a concern but we also have to realise that we don't have enough quality," he said. "We have already lost seven local players [with the axing of Barisal Bulls] but I would still say that finding a place in the team is what the local players need as a challenge. The young players should have competition rather than having a confirmed team. There aren't many T20 specialists in our pipeline, but at the same time, they need opportunities to be honest."

As a means to address that, BPL secretary Ismail Haider Mallick said: "We are thinking of holding a domestic T20 tournament with only local players, with the Dhaka Premier League (one-day tournament) or the four Bangladesh Cricket League (first-class) teams. So about 48 players will be able to play."

Reactions to these new regulations was divided. Nabil Samad, an experienced domestic performer, felt that "Bangladeshi players got more opportunities with bat and ball when seven local players were around. But this time the scope has become limited for batsmen, especially those in the top-order. Teams usually try to utilise foreign players in those positions"

Meanwhile Khulna fast bowler Abu Jayed chose to see the bright side. "BPL is a good platform to enter the national team, because it lets us stay in focus. There isn't any media coverage in National Cricket League (first-class cricket) and Bangladesh Cricket League. I think we can look at the positive of it. We will be brought into focus if we do well. There aren't many of us."