‘The government's efforts to elevate the BPL are commendable’

Fresh from their historic triumph in the inaugural Global T20 Super League (GSL), Rangpur Riders are gearing up for the upcoming Bangladesh Premier League (BPL) with renewed focus and optimism.

In an exclusive interview with The Business Standard, Ishtiaque Sadeque, CEO of Rangpur Riders, reflected on the challenges his team overcame to secure the GSL title, the role of their coaching staff, and their aspirations for the upcoming BPL, all while navigating financial constraints and a shifting cricketing landscape in Bangladesh.

The Riders made history on 7 December, clinching the GSL trophy with a dominant 56-run victory over Victoria in Guyana. This success was anything but easy. The team endured a rough start, losing their opening two matches, before mounting an incredible comeback to claim the championship. For Sadeque, this triumph was a testament to the team's resilience and the unwavering support they received from the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB).

"We are extremely grateful to the cricket board for their support, which enabled us to prepare and participate in such a short time," Sadeque said. "Initially, we had no idea we were going to get the chance. Later, when Fortune Barishal declined to participate, the board informed us of the opportunity. They facilitated meetings with the organisers and were keen for a Bangladeshi team to be represented. Since we also own another franchise team in the USA, the Atalanta Riders, it helped us assemble a team more quickly. We are absolutely delighted to have brought the trophy home."

The road to victory wasn't without hurdles. Player availability became a significant issue when Soumya Sarkar, Rishad Hossain, and Afif Hossain were called up for national duty ahead of the final. Injuries within the squad further complicated matters. Sadeque credited the BCB for ensuring that these key players could participate in the final.

"The board was instrumental in addressing issues when some of our players were called up for national duty. They allowed those players to participate in the final, which was crucial because, without them, we would have been disqualified due to a shortage of players. We had already suffered several injuries in our squad, so their cooperation made a significant difference."

Sadeque also highlighted the vital role of the coaching staff in the team's success, describing them as the unsung heroes of the campaign. "Our head coach, Mickey Arthur, brings a wealth of experience to the team. We also have Mohammad Ashraful in our coaching staff, someone I've known since 2005. He has always been a lucky charm for me. I want to give them full credit for our success and am optimistic that they will excel in the upcoming BPL as well."

Looking ahead, Sadeque discussed the financial windfall from their GSL victory, which included a championship prize of USD 500,000. "Winning the championship prize is a definite advantage. We've decided to share a portion of it with the players as a bonus, but the overall amount will also help us strengthen our team for the upcoming BPL," he explained.

However, financial constraints remain a pressing concern for the Riders, particularly given the controversies surrounding their parent company, Bashundhara Group, and the lingering impact of the July uprising. "Considering the prevailing situation, Rangpur Riders' inclusion was uncertain for everyone. Our financial position isn't strong either. However, since this is the final year of our franchise contract, we decided to participate and work within a limited budget," Sadeque shared.

Even securing sponsorships has proven challenging. "Even defending champions like Fortune Barishal, with stars like Tamim Iqbal and Mushfiqur Rahim, are struggling to find sponsors. These factors influenced our decision to build a balanced side within a tight budget. That said, winning the GSL has certainly given us some financial relief during this challenging period."

On the subject of player recruitment for the BPL, Sadeque noted that their squad will largely remain unchanged, save for the absence of Afghanistan's AM Ghazanfar, who is now committed to the Afghanistan Test squad. "In terms of overseas players, everyone except AM Ghazanfar will be available. He was initially scheduled to play the first four or five matches, but unfortunately, he was called up to the Afghanistan Test squad, so that plan didn't materialise. We will certainly miss him. As of now, we haven't initiated contact with any additional overseas players, but we'll see how things develop as the tournament progresses."

Sadeque also addressed the departure of marquee players like Shakib Al Hasan, whose contract with the Riders ended after just one year. "In previous years, we've had marquee players, both foreign and local, including Shakib. This time, however, we decided to prioritise younger talents."

Despite these challenges, Sadeque remains optimistic about the BPL's future under the new government, which has introduced several initiatives to elevate the tournament's profile. "The government's efforts to elevate the profile of the BPL are commendable. From what I understand, nine ministries are collaborating to ensure the tournament is a grand spectacle. We've already seen various programmes being held in the lead-up to the event, which never happened in the past."

"There's even talk of setting up big screens and fan parks in other districts, which is a fantastic initiative. These steps not only generate excitement among fans but also boost players' confidence and motivation."

Reflecting on the BPL's evolution, Sadeque recalls a time when the tournament had a different level of prestige. "To be frank, when we first became BPL champions in 2017, players like Chris Gayle, AB de Villiers, and Brendon McCullum were part of our team. Back then, they openly stated that the BPL was second only to the IPL in terms of quality." However, the league has faced setbacks since then. "After 2019, the pandemic hit, and the league experienced a year-long gap. Unfortunately, this caused the standard to decline," he admits.

He stressed the need for a long-term revenue-sharing model to ensure stability for franchises. "It's disheartening to see newer leagues surpassing us despite starting after the BPL. However, I remain hopeful that the new board will address these issues," he stated.

"We haven't initiated discussions on this topic yet. However, the board has acknowledged that this year is particularly challenging due to the inclusion of a new board, two or three new teams, and limited time to prepare. They've assured us that revenue sharing will be introduced in the coming years."

The absence of a sustainable financial model has also led to frequent franchise replacements in the BPL. Sadeque calls for long-term planning to address this issue, emphasising, "Not everyone has the passion like us to continue all these years by spending money out of their own pockets and taking significant losses. Increasing exposure like this year has to continue, and that will attract sponsors, benefiting all parties involved."

He still takes a realistic approach to the financial aspects of the Bangladesh Premier League (BPL). "No, we don't expect to see a profit this year. Our priority is to reduce losses," he states plainly.

As for their expectations this season, Sadeque was clear. "Our first goal is to secure a place in the top four. However, I firmly believe that, despite operating on a smaller budget, we've assembled a team capable of finishing in the top two during the league stage.