Fortune Barishal sign six foreign players for next BPL
Agency:
Defending champions Fortune Barishal have already started laying the groundwork for the upcoming edition of the Bangladesh Premier League (BPL), confirming that six foreign players have been signed for the tournament.
Last season, the team featured several prominent overseas cricketers, including Pakistan’s pace ace Shaheen Shah Afridi, who played only a handful of matches. Alongside him were the likes of Dawid Malan, Mohammad Nabi, Kyle Mayers, and Faheem Ashraf. The squad also included James Fuller and Imran Junior.
Barishal team owner Mizanur Rahman confirmed the early signings but remained tight-lipped about the names. “We have signed six foreign players for Fortune Barishal. However, I won’t reveal their names at this point,” Mizanur told the media.
“Revealing names now could give teams like Comilla or Rangpur a chance to outbid us with offers $15,000 to $20,000 higher, disrupting our strategy. That’s why we’re keeping this confidential. Once they take the field, everyone will know who they are,” he added.
With BCB’s previous franchise agreements now expired, Fortune Barishal and Rangpur Riders are expected to secure fresh long-term contracts soon. If finalized, this would give Barishal a clear edge over other teams who are yet to enter talks with the board, let alone begin squad preparations.
Barishal made headlines last season when they signed New Zealand’s Jimmy Neesham just before the final. However, he didn’t feature in the match as their opponent turned out to be Chattogram Challengers instead of Khulna Tigers – against whom Neesham was strategically recruited.
“Neesham joined us and stayed with the squad, though he didn’t play. If we had faced Khulna, he would’ve been in the XI. But the final against Chattogram didn’t suit his inclusion. Still, he was part of our winning unit and contributed off the field,” Mizanur explained.
“Fortune Barishal always make such calculated plans,” he added.