The fourth edition of the franchisee-based Bangladesh Cricket League (BCL) on longer version is going to roll onto the grounds at two different venues across the country from January 10. The four-day domestic competition will be evolved on the basis of the double league system without the participation of the national team’s players, who will be busy in training camp for the upcoming home series against Zimbabwe. Each round of the games will be held with the three-day break
 “Bangladesh Cricket League (BCL) will get underway from January 10 to be played on longer version. This time it’ll also be evolved on the basis of double league system,” said Akram Khan, chairman of the BCB Tournament Committee.
“The training camp of Bangladesh will keep going at that time. There will be 80-90 best players, who performed in the league, will take part in the BCL. There will be no national players here but if coach wants to see any batsman or bowler, in that case, we will give him chance to play. Actually we’ll take the final decision after consulting with the head coach,” Khan told reporters yesterday after holding a meeting with franchisees.
 Akram said that they have fixed Bogra and Rajshahi as the two venues  ahead of the tight schedule of the home series against Zimbabwe, Asia Cup and ICC Under-19 World Cup.
“We needed at least 49 days to run the league by double league system. In that case, it will be ended towards the end of the February if it starts in January 10,” the tournament committee chairman said, adding “There will be a tight schedule of the venues at that time. Zimbabwe will come here for a short series alongside Under-19 World Cup and Asia Cup will also be held in the country. And so, we’ve fixed two venues of Bogra and Rajshahi for the upcoming edition.”
Former skipper said that they could not increase the amount of money for the match fee and prize money because of the constraint of the budget though the number of the matches has been increased for double league system.
“The previous edition of the league was held on single league system, where the match fee was Tk 40,000. But this time there is no change in match fee though the number of matches has been increased. Actually we could not increase the match fee due to the constraint of budget,” the skipper told.
“The prize money will be the same. But we could not disclose the amount of it.”
“The wicket for the last edition was good that you all had seen. We will inform the curators of Bogra and Rajshahi to build sporting wicket for the league.

We want to build such wickets so that both bowlers and batsmen get the edge. But the flat wicket of course will not be there,” he told this in response to a query.
When asked about getting any franchisee for North Zone, who is currently run by BCB, Akram said, “We’re trying to manage  a franchisee for the North Zone. We’ve talked with two-to-four interested companies. Actually we’ve needed some more times to get proper one. Hopefully we’ll manage to get one from next edition.”
Considering the interest of the cricket alongside giving opportunities for more players, Khan said they have decided to run the longer version.
“For the interest of the cricket in Bangladesh, we’ll arrange the tournament on longer version. National team players will be busy against Zimbabwe. But the rest of the players will be played. Actually the longer version can keep a vital role to produce more quality players and it is important for the interest of cricket. And so, we’ve decided to run the longer version,” he reckoned.
“Along with that, we’re going to hold the franchisee-based BCL for the Under-19. It’ll probably commence from February 17 at Zahur Ahmed Chowdhury Stadium and MA Aziz Stadium in Chittagong. Many showed their keen interest to buy franchisees of this Under-19 competition,” Akram claimed.