The Bangladesh Cricket League (BCL), a franchise-based first class tournament saw a new system for the first time—a ‘players’ draft’ which was used yesterday to distribute the players amongst the four zones who take part in the seventh edition of the tournament.

Usually the players belong to their zones when the tournament, considered as the country’s premier first class league was introduced six years back but this year it saw the change of system because of giving each franchise a balance, according to an official.

However, the players came to know the new system just two days ago, which seemed not to go down well with them. But they are okay with the system, considering it would create a level playing field.

“I think it will have some kind of impact in balancing each side because some teams become extremely weakened due to non availability of the national player,” said former national player Jahurul Islam Omee.

“At the same time if a player represents his own zone then he will have a feeling of owning the team due to the love he possess for his own region.” However each zone retained six players from the previous season.

The four teams which participate in the tournament –East Zone owned by Islami Bank, Central Zone owned by Walton, South Zone owned by Prime Bank and North Zone owned by Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB).

The tournament starts on November 21 with Prime Bank South Zone taking on Walton Central  Zone at Sylhet International Cricket Stadium while BCB North Zone playing against Islami Bank East Zone at Shaheed Kamruzzaman Stadium in Rajshahi.