Bangladesh Premier League (BPL) reigning champions Fortune Barishal have requested the league’s governing council to reschedule the upcoming edition of the tournament. Barishal have cited struggles to prepare
for the competition on short notice as the reason behind this request. The league’s governing council recently made an announcement that the league will witness the participation of only five teams and is scheduled to start in mid-December.
Following the announcement, there were speculations that Barishal will not be participating in the tournament as their owner Mizanur Rahman came up with a statement that dismissed these rumours. Mizanur in his statement was misinterpreted about his team’s participation in the upcoming edition of the league, and thus clarified stating, "I haven't said that I won't play in the BPL. All I said is that in this short span of time it will be difficult for a team like us to play, and so we wanted them to extend the time. Everyone is calling me and I told them (BCB) that it's too small and it is becoming impossible for a team like us (to prepare for the tournament)."
Mizanur Rahman discussed concerns regarding Tamim Iqbal
Mizanur Rahman also addressed concerns regarding team’s skipper Tamim Iqbal, following the former Bangladesh opener’s announcement that all kinds of cricket is being boycotted under the leadership of newly elected BCB President Aminul Islam. Rahman said that he will persuade Iqbal to participate in the competition. "I don't think there is any such thing (that Tamim won't play in BPL) and I think he said about it (boycotting cricket) regarding normal game. If the BPL happens I will request him to play and I feel that if Barishal plays he will play," added Rahman.
In BPL’s last season, Barishal played a fierce brand of cricket under Tamim and defeated Chittagong Kings in the final, held in Mirpur. In January 2025, Iqbal announced retirement from international cricket, after serving the Bangla side for 16 years from 2007 to 2023.
