Online Desk: With the promise of improvement, the 10th edition of the Bangladesh Premier League (BPL), the country’s sole franchise-based T20 league, is set to commence on Friday with a match between Comilla Victorians and Durdanto Dhaka.

While the Victorians boast the title of the most successful team in BPL history, Durdanto Dhaka is making its debut this season.

In keeping with the tradition of previous BPL seasons, the premium cricket event is beginning this year amidst mismanagement and controversy, exemplified by the absence of an official pre-event press conference for the captains.

However, the BPL governing council has stated its commitment to ensuring a successful BPL this year.

The opening match is set to take place at 2:30 pm at Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium, followed by the second match of the opening day at 7:30 pm.

For the first time, all BPL teams have placed their trust on local coaches, despite many lacking a track record of coaching at the top level of cricket.

Foreign recruitment for the teams is not as enticing as in previous years.

Seven teams are participating in this year’s BPL, with the first phase taking place in Dhaka before the event moves to Sylhet, Dhaka, and Chattogram, culminating in the final phase back in Dhaka.

The tickets are out for the opening day. Visits at the ticket-selling booths showed a low turnout of spectators, casting a shadow over people’s interest in BPL.

However, Ismail Haider Mallick, the secretary of the BPL governing body, said the popularity of BPL is more than ever. He said he has to keep his phone off due to the surge in demand for tickets during the play-offs.

Nagorik TV and T-Sports will telecast BPL matches. Along with that, Daraz will also telecast on their OTT platform.