Shakib Al Hasan joins Chittagong Kings for the upcoming Bangladesh Premier League, while other teams bolster their rosters in a draft filled with strategic moves and new talent.

Shakib Al Hasan has signed with Chittagong Kings for the next Bangladesh Premier League (BPL) season. Previously, he had a two-year contract with Rangpur Riders, but both parties mutually agreed to part ways, allowing the Kings to secure his services directly.

Fortune Barishal selected Rishad Hossain, but only after 40 other players were chosen by different franchises. There seemed to be some reluctance from teams to select Rishad due to uncertainties about his availability, as he is signed with Hobart Hurricanes for the Big Bash League this season. Bangladesh’s captain Najmul Hossain Shanto was also a late addition, joining Barishal.

Mashrafe Mortaza’s placement in Group B raised eyebrows, particularly since he didn’t perform well in the last BPL. Nonetheless, he was picked up by Sylhet Strikers, who he played for in the previous two editions.

The player draft took place in Dhaka on October 14 amid considerable uncertainty. BCB president Faruque Ahmed expressed relief that the draft was successfully held. “There was a lot of uncertainty. I wasn’t sure how many teams would participate, but we worked hard and held the draft. With the tournament set for December 27, I’m confident teams will further enhance their rosters,” he stated.

Faruque noted that several teams still have roster spots to fill, but the draft has proceeded as planned despite a previous delay. He emphasized that with seven teams, new initiatives are being introduced. While he acknowledged it may not be perfect, he believes improvements are underway.

Additionally, the focus this season will be on creating favorable batting conditions. “Our primary aim is to provide good batting pitches. Bowlers will be acknowledged if they perform well. I believe the wickets were decent in the last tournament, although runs were low in daytime matches. This time, we’ll strive to make T20 cricket more enjoyable,” he added.

Teams will continue to sign players directly until the tournament starts. This season sees the introduction of three new franchises: Dhaka Capitals, Chittagong Kings, and Durbar Rajshahi, alongside returning teams Fortune Barishal, Khulna Tigers, Sylhet Strikers, and Rangpur Riders.

Squads after BPL Draft:

Dhaka Capitals:

• Direct Signings: Mustafizur Rahman, Tanzid Hasan Tamim
• Foreign Signings: Thisara Perera, Johnson Charles, Amir Hamza, Shahnawaz Dahani, Stephen Eskinazi
• Draft Picks: Liton Kumer Das, Habibur Rahman Sohan, Mukidul Islam, Abu Jayed, Sabbir Rahman, Munim Shahriar, Asif Hasan, Shahadat Hossain Dipu, Musfik Hasan, Saim Ayub, Amir Hamza Hotak.

Chittagong Kings:

• Direct Signings: Shakib Al Hasan, Shoriful Islam
• Foreign Signings: Moeen Ali, Usman Khan, Haider Ali, Angelo Mathews, Mohammad Wasim Jr, Binura Fernando
• Draft Picks: Shamim Hossain, Parvez Hossain Emon, Khaled Ahmed, Aliss Al Islam, Mohammad Mithun, Naeem Islam, Maruf Mridha, Rahatul Ferdous Javed, Sheikh Parvez Jibon, Marshall Ayub, Graham Clarke, Thomas O'Connell.

Durbar Rajshahi:

• Direct Signing: Anamul Haque Bijoy
• Draft Picks: Taskin Ahmed, Jishan Alam, Yasir Ali, Sabbir Hossen, Sanjamul Islam, SM Meherob Hasan, Akbar Ali, Hasan Murad, Md. Shafiul Islam, Mohor Sheikh, Saad Nasim, Lahiru Samarakoon.

Fortune Barishal:

• Direct Signing: Towhid Hridoy
• Retained Players: Tamim Iqbal, Mushfiqur Rahim
• Foreign Signings: Kyle Mayers, Dawid Malan, Mohammad Nabi, Faheem Ashraf, Ali Mohammad, Jahandad Khan
• Draft Picks: Mahmudullah, Tanvir Islam, Najmul Hossain, Ripon Mondol, Ebadot Hossain, Nayeem Hasan, Rishad Hossain, Taijul Islam, Shohidul Islam, Ariful Islam, James Fuller, Pathum Nissanka, Nandre Burger.

Sylhet Strikers:

• Direct Signing: Jaker Ali Anik
• Retained Players: Tanzim Hasan Sakib, Zakir Hasan
• Foreign Signings: Paul Stirling, George Munsey
• Draft Picks: Rony Talukder, Mashrafe Bin Mortaza, Al-Amin Hossain, Arafat Sunny, Ruyel Miah, Ariful Haque, Nihaduzzaman, Nahidul Islam, Rahkeem Cornwall, Samiullah Shinwari, Reece Topley.

Khulna Tigers:

• Direct Signing: Mehidy Hasan
• Retained Players: Afif Hossain, Nasum Ahmed
• Foreign Signing: Oshane Thomas
• Draft Picks: Hasan Mahmud, Mohammad Naim, Imrul Kayes, Mahidul Islam Ankon, Abu Hider Rony, Ziaur Rahman, Mahfuzur Rahman Rabby, Mahmudul Hasan Joy, Mohammad Hasnain, Lewis Gregory, Mohammad Nawaz.

Rangpur Riders:

• Direct Signing: Mohammad Saifuddin
• Retained Players: Nurul Hasan Sohan, Mahedi Hasan
• Foreign Signings: Alex Hales, Khushdil Shah, Allah Ghazanfar, Steven Taylor, Saurabh Netravalkar
• Draft Picks: Nahid Rana, Saif Hassan, Soumya Sarkar, Rakibul Hasan, Rejaur Rahman Raja, Irfan Sukkur, Kamrul Islam Rabbi, Tawfique Khan Tushar, Akif Javed, Curtis Campher.