'It is like a circus' - Bangladesh head coach Chandika Hathurusingha asks Apex Cricket Council to step into BPL regulations

Bangladesh head coach Chandika Hathurusingha has expressed strong criticism of the Bangladesh Premier League (BPL). He likened it to a circus and highlighted the lack of a proper T20 tournament in the country. The ongoing 2024 BPL season sees Rangpur Riders leading the points table.

Advertisment

However, Hathurusingha's comments shed light on the challenges faced by the league in achieving significant growth. He compared it to other premier T20 tournaments like the Indian Premier League (IPL) and the Pakistan Super League (PSL).

In a candid assessment, Hathurusingha revealed his dissatisfaction with the quality of players in the BPL, stating that some players do not meet the required class standards. The coach even admitted to turning off the TV while watching the tournament.

“We [Bangladesh] don't have a proper T20 tournament. This sounds very odd. When I am watching the BPL, I sometimes turn off the TV. Some players are not even in the required class. I have a big issue with the current system,” said Hathurusingha.

Advertisment

“There should be some regulation,"  says Hathurusingha

Hathurusingha went on to label the BPL as a circus and expressed a loss of interest in the competition. Calling for the intervention of the Apex Cricket Council, he emphasised the need for regulations to address the inconsistency in player participation, with players often switching between different tournaments.

As the 2024 BPL playoffs approach, Hathurusingha stressed the importance of the Apex Cricket Council taking decisive actions to ensure the tournament's credibility. “The Apex Cricket Council needs to step in. There have to be some regulations. A player is playing one tournament, and then he is playing another tournament. It is like a circus. Players will talk about opportunities, but that's not right. People will lose interest. I have lost interest,” Hathurusingha added.

“We need to have a tournament where our players can do things like bat in the top three. Bangladesh bowlers bowled in the death. Where will we learn these things otherwise? We have only one tournament,” said Hathurusingha.

“My suggestion is that we have another tournament before the BPL. The franchises do what they want. Some of the best players are not playing. Then how do you expect the Bangladesh team to keep up with the other teams? I am fighting a steep battle,” Hathurusingha added.