Bangladesh Cricket Board Takes Over Chattogram Royals Ahead of BPL 12

In a surprising turn of events, the Bangladesh Cricket Board has taken control of the Chattogram Royals franchise just a day before the start of the 12th edition of the Bangladesh Premier League. The original owner withdrew due to difficulties in securing sponsorship. This takeover comes amid ongoing challenges for the T20 league, which has faced payment issues in the past. The BCB has appointed new management for the team as they prepare for their opening match against the Noakhali Express. Read on to learn more about the implications of this development for the BPL.

By Narendra Chaudhary Dec 25, 2025, 17:46 IST

BCB Assumes Control of Chattogram Royals Franchise

Dhaka, Bangladesh - On December 25, the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) announced that it has taken over the Chattogram Royals franchise of the Bangladesh Premier League (BPL) after the original owner opted to withdraw just one day before the tournament's 12th edition kicks off on December 26, according to reports from a sports media outlet.

Triangle Services Limited, which had acquired the franchise from the BCB, decided to pull out due to insufficient interest from sponsors, as stated in their communication to the BCB.

BPL chairman Iftekhar Rahman commented on the situation, revealing that the franchise had sent a letter to the BCB only three hours prior to the takeover. He noted that the withdrawal was unexpected and attributed it to difficulties in securing sponsorship, exacerbated by negative media coverage. Rahman emphasized the BCB's commitment to maintaining integrity and ensuring timely player payments this season, aiming to avoid issues similar to those faced by the Rajshahi franchise last year.

The BPL has a history of payment-related challenges since its inception in 2012, with significant improvements noted between 2016 and 2019. However, issues resurfaced last season, culminating in a player boycott by the Durbar Rajshahi team over unpaid dues, which necessitated government intervention.

In light of this development, the BCB has appointed Habibul Bashar as the team director, Mizanur Rahman Babul as the head coach, and Nafees Iqbal as the team manager.

This takeover adds to the ongoing challenges faced by the T20 league, which has struggled with its reputation over the years. Despite calls for a comprehensive overhaul of the BPL, the BCB has decided to stick with the original December-January schedule, even as it grapples with difficulties in attracting new franchises for the upcoming five-year cycle.

The Chattogram Royals, one of four new franchises introduced this season, have recently been in the spotlight for negative reasons. Reports indicate that two individuals mentioned in the BCB's independent inquiry into corruption were associated with the franchise, as noted by a sports media outlet.

The Royals are set to play their opening match against the Noakhali Express, another new team, in Sylhet.