Sports Desk

Bangladesh wicketkeeper-batter Mushfiqur Rahim has emphasised the significance of the Bangladesh Premier League (BPL) for players in terms of earning a stable income. He highlighted the tournament's high quality, indicating its importance in providing opportunities for cricketers to showcase their skills and secure financial stability.

His remarks underline the crucial role that domestic T20 leagues like the BPL play in the careers of players, particularly in countries where cricket serves as a major sport.

Like every season, the quality of cricket came into question during the ongoing 10th edition of the BPL, mainly due to an overwhelming share of low-scoring encounters produced in the country's only franchise-based T20 tournament.

Bangladesh head coach Chandika Hathurusingha said he "often switches off" the TV while watching BPL matches, hinting at the poor quality of cricket displayed in the tournament.

However, Rahim doubted how could the quality of a tournament that helps many players earn a living be that bad.

"First of all, if BPL doesn't take place then it would be difficult for us [players] to provide for our families. That is the gist," Rahim said in a press conference on Wednesday after helping his Fortune Barishal side to a six-wicket win over Rangpur Riders in Qualifier 2 and into the final of BPL.

"The remuneration that we get from [one season of] BPL is equal to what top paid players earn in three-four years playing for the national team. So, how can its standard be that bad?" Rahim wondered.

"Because no player would want to play badly in BPL and stay unsold in the next season only to watch others play on TV. So, if you ask me, BPL's quality is definitely very high. Maybe, sometimes it gets difficult for batters to score runs because of the pitch, but the surfaces were a lot better on an average this season. And that's why the quality of cricket also improved compared to the past," he added.