BPL needs cricket-focused investment, not more concerts, says Tamim Iqbal

As the Bangladesh Premier League (BPL) prepares for its new edition amid leadership changes in the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB), experienced cricketer Tamim Iqbal has stressed the importance of investing in cricket rather than focusing on ancillary events. Speaking after a training session on Sunday, December 28, Tamim said, "Honestly, aside from the concerts, I haven't noticed anything new. If we want to make the BPL stand out, we need to invest in cricket. That’s the most important aspect." While acknowledging new additions such as concerts in Sylhet and Chattogram, free water distribution, and improved promotions, Tamim emphasized that the focus should remain on enhancing the tournament itself. He remarked, "Concerts have been held before, and they were fantastic, but I wasn’t even in the country when they took place." He added that it was too early to judge the changes and offered his advice, stating, "If anyone asks for my opinion, I’d say that to truly change the BPL, we must invest in the tournament and in cricket. That’s when we’ll see real change." Tamim also pointed out that both players and organizers share the responsibility for the tournament's success. "Organizers must provide the best facilities, the best wickets, the best commentators, and the best technology," he said. However, he emphasized that the quality of cricket ultimately depends on the players' performance, adding, "If the organizers do their part and the players do theirs, then we’ll have a successful tournament."