Rangpur Riders’ star Alex Hales played his final game for the team in the current Bangladesh Premier League (BPL) on January 9. Just three days later, he was in Abu Dhabi, representing Desert Vipers in the ILT20. This rapid switch is becoming the reality for many franchise cricketers as they navigate an increasingly crowded global cricketing calendar. With leagues competing fiercely to attract top talent, players’ priorities are shifting faster than ever.
A source close to Hales shared that he would have stayed for the entirety of the BPL if it weren’t for the scheduling clash with the ILT20. Despite playing just six matches for Rangpur, Hales made an impact, scoring 218 runs at an average of over 54 and a strike rate of 140, including an unbeaten 113 that set the tournament alight early on.
Hales’ departure, however, adds to the growing concerns about the BPL’s ability to attract and retain big-name players. The Big Bash League, SA20, and ILT20 are all running simultaneously with the BPL, and the latter two leagues, despite being relatively new, have the financial power to lure foreign stars away from the Bangladeshi competition.
Enamul Haque Jr., assistant coach of Chittagong Kings, believes the issue lies in the scheduling. “It’s definitely a scheduling problem,” he said. “When there’s a clash, players will prefer the leagues in Dubai or South Africa.” He suggests that moving the BPL to December could help avoid such conflicts, allowing players to compete in Bangladesh first before heading to other leagues.
However, the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) has made it clear that changing the schedule is not feasible in the near future. Shahriar Nafees, the BCB’s cricket operations in-charge, explained that the current January-February window, approved by the ICC until 2027, is unlikely to change anytime soon.
The departure of high-profile players midway through the tournament certainly impacts the excitement around the BPL, and it’s a challenge the BCB will need to address in the years ahead to keep the league competitive on the global stage.
 on January 9. Just three days later, he was in Abu Dhabi, representing Desert Vipers in the ILT20. This rapid switch is becoming the reality for many franchise cricketers as they navigate an increasingly crowded global cricketing calendar. With leagues competing fiercely to attract top talent, players’ priorities are shifting faster than ever.){kind=link}