“There aren’t many green lights for the BPL” – Lisa Sthalekar calls for change

A Critical Look at the Bangladesh Premier League

The Bangladesh Premier League (BPL) stands at a pivotal crossroads. Despite running for over a decade, the tournament remains plagued by recurring controversies that threaten its long-term viability and reputation on the global stage. As the league looks toward future iterations, the focus has shifted toward fundamental systemic issues, most notably the consistent failure to address player remuneration.

Lisa Sthalekar, the president of the World Cricketers’ Association (WCA), recently provided a sobering assessment of the league’s current standing. During her time in Bangladesh for commentary duties, Sthalekar pulled no punches, emphasizing that the league’s operational standards fall short of international benchmarks.

The WCA Traffic Light System

The WCA utilizes a unique diagnostic tool to evaluate T20 leagues worldwide: a traffic-light system designed to guide players, administrators, and agents regarding the health and reliability of various competitions. When evaluating the BPL through this lens, the picture is far from encouraging.

“What the World Cricketers’ Association does, and we have it on our website, is almost a traffic-light system of all the T20 leagues around the world,” Sthalekar explained. “Obviously, if you look at the BPL, its traffic light doesn’t have a lot of green, unfortunately.”

The Imperative of Professionalism and Payment

At the heart of the criticism is the recurring issue of unpaid player salaries. For professional cricketers, the sport is not merely a passion but a livelihood. Sthalekar draws a direct parallel between the cricket field and any other professional workspace, asserting that the fulfillment of contractual obligations is non-negotiable.

“For professional cricketers, this is their job. It’s the same for journalists—you expect to be paid for your work. I don’t think it makes a difference. A professional cricketer, if they’ve gone out and played cricket and done their job, should be paid for it. And if the system and structure have put frameworks and contracts in place, then they should be honoured,” she added.

Opportunities for Reform

Despite the current challenges, Sthalekar sees a potential path forward. With a new administration taking the helm at the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB), there exists a unique window for structural reform. By aligning with global best practices and ensuring that the needs of the players are at the center of decision-making, the league could move from its current status toward a more stable ‘amber’ or ‘green’ categorization.

“This is an opportunity for them as a new organisation and executive committee to work with the Bangladesh Cricket Board to ensure that overseas players want to come here and play,” Sthalekar noted. She remains optimistic that if the BCB and domestic player associations work in tandem, the BPL can leverage the country’s world-class facilities and talented cricketers to become a more prosperous tournament.

The Role of Local Representation

Sthalekar clarified that while the WCA focuses largely on ICC-level events, the responsibility for domestic advocacy rests with local bodies like the Cricketers’ Welfare Association of Bangladesh (CWAB). She highlighted the constructive dialogues she has held with local representatives, including Mithun, and encouraged continued growth for these associations.

“They’re here representing all professional cricketers in Bangladesh, and I think they’ve been doing a wonderful job. These are new administrators who are learning about a players’ association, what it can do, and how they can be the voice of professional cricketers in Bangladesh,” she concluded. The message is clear: for the BPL to thrive, it must transition from a cycle of controversy to a model of transparency and professional integrity.