Bangladesh head coach Chandika Hathurusinghe questions BPL’s quality, wants separate tournament for locals

Chandika Hathurusinghe isn’t too impressed with the quality of the ongoing Bangladesh Premier League. The national team head coach pointed out that there’s a lack of local representation in the key batting and bowling departments, which is often taken by overseas players. The already-established domestic players keep making the headlines from time to time, which is not helping the uncapped players.

Hathurusinghe also admitted that he at times turns off the television as there’s not enough quality in the league. He asked the International Cricket Council (ICC) to step in and bring in some regulations in franchise cricket in order to protect and nurture talents. He also added that there should be a regulation in place to stop cricketers playing multiple tournaments in the same window.

“We (Bangladesh) don't have a proper T20 tournament. This sounds very odd. When I am watching the BPL, I sometimes turn off the TV. Some players are not even of the (required) class,” Hathurusinghe told ESPNcricinfo.

“I have a big issue with the current system. The ICC need to step in. There has to be some regulations. A player is playing one tournament and then he is playing another tournament. It is like a circus. Players will talk about opportunities, but that's not right. People will lose interest. I have lost interest,” the 55-year-old added.

I am fighting a steep battle: Hathurusinghe

Hathurusinghe also expressed his desire to see a separate tournament for the local cricketers ahead of the BPL. He expects that this new tournament will give the local players a platform to showcase their skills and learn the art of playing T20 cricket. The former Sri Lanka international stated that he is fighting a steep battle for the betterment of Bangladesh cricket.

“My suggestion is that we have another tournament before the BPL," he said. "The franchises do what they want. Some of the best players are not playing. Then how do you expect the Bangladesh team to be up with the other teams? I am fighting a steep battle,” Hathurusinghe said.