Mushfiqur Rahim: Competition will increase because of five-player rule in BPL

Rajshahi Kings were one of the three franchises that had voted for four overseas players in the playing XI for the fifth edition of Bangladesh Premier League (BPL). However, with five of the eight franchises voting in the favour of five overseas players in a line-up, their vote was nullified. Kings Chairman Hafizur Rahman Khan said they took the majority decision ‘sportingly’ and have no issues with it.

“We voted for four foreign players [in a playing XI],” Rahman said. “Three franchises voted for four players while five franchise voted for five players in the line-up. So the majority decision prevailed. We took it sportingly. We voted so that there was more participation of local players.”

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Rahman’s reasoning echoes the general feeling among most local players as well as some national players. The move to five foreigners, a return to the ruling from the 2012 and 2013, is seen as a restriction of growth for local players. However, Mushfiqur Rahim, Kings icon player for BPL 2017, said the competition among the locals would increase because of the five-player rule.

“It can be both positive and negative,” Mushfiqur said. “If five players play then one spot for local players will be reduced, but on the other hand the competition for local players will be increased. I think this kind of competition will help the local players because such practice of facing competition will help them in international level as well. High quality foreign players participate in BPL. It will help local players regarding sharing dressing rooms with such quality players.”