Ahead of the 12th edition of the Bangladesh Premier League (BPL), foreign players are set to play a pivotal role across teams. After the 11th BPL final, Tamim Iqbal spoke with several international cricketers, including Kyle Mayers, David Malan, and Fahim Ashraf, who had promised to play for Fortune Barishal. Although Tamim’s Barishal is not participating this season, Mayers, Malan, and Fahim will feature for Rangpur Riders.

Rajshahi Warriors have also strengthened their squad with foreign talent, signing three players from Pakistan’s ODI and T20 teams. Coach Hannan Sarkar confirmed that at least two more international players will join mid-season. Sylhet Titans are eyeing England’s Moeen Ali. With the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) granting clearance to ten players to participate in the BPL, competitive cricket is expected from the start.

Rangpur Riders have recruited ten foreign players, and assistant coach Mohammad Ashraful is optimistic about having them available throughout the tournament. He emphasized the importance of a settled team on match days, citing past BPL editions where Rangpur, despite having champion squads, were eliminated in knockouts.

The Riders’ squad combines foreign stars with local talent such as Akib Javed, Khushdil Shah, and Iftikhar Ahmed. Rajshahi Warriors, meanwhile, have focused on top-quality domestic players along with internationals like Sahibzada Farhan, Mohammad Nawaz, and Hosein Talat. New Zealand’s James Neesham joined recently. Coach Hannan noted that after the IL T20 concludes, additional international players will bolster the squad, ensuring balance between local and foreign talent.

Former champions Rangpur Riders are seen as the team with the strongest foreign contingent. Other teams like Dhaka Capitals, Noakhali Express, and Sylhet Titans have also secured a mix of experienced internationals and emerging players. Dhaka Capitals signed England’s Alex Hales, Pakistan’s Imad Wasim, and Afghanistan’s Rahmatullah Gurbaz. Sylhet Titans are aiming for Moeen Ali alongside Azmatullah Omarzai and Aaron Jones. Noakhali Express has added experienced players like Mohammad Nabi, Johnson Charles, and Bilal Sami, alongside IPL-experienced youngsters such as Ihsanullah Khan. Chattogram Royals, however, currently have only two foreign players.

Team-wise foreign player line-up:

• Dhaka Capitals: Usman Khan, Alex Hales, Dasun Shanaka, Zubayerullah Akbar, Rahmatullah Gurbaz, Oden Smith, Imad Wasim

• Rajshahi Warriors: Sahibzada Farhan, Mohammad Nawaz, Dushan Hemant, Jahandad Khan, Binura Fernando, Hosein Talat, Jimmy Neesham

• Rangpur Riders: Khaja Nafi, Sufian Mukim, Emilo Gay, Mohammad Akhlaq, Kyle Mayers, David Malan, Fahim Ashraf, Khushdil Shah, Iftikhar Ahmed, Akib Javed

• Sylhet Titans: Syam Ayyub, Mohammad Sami, Azmatullah Omarzai, Salman Irshad, Angelo Mathews, Aaron Jones

• Noakhali Express: Johnson Charles, Kushal Mendis, Mohammad Nabi, Haider Ali, Ihsanullah Khan, Zahir Khan, Maj Sadakat, Ibrar Ahmed, Bilal Sami

• Chattogram Royals: Abrar Ahmed, Niroshan Dickwella

The 12th BPL promises high-octane cricket with foreign stars expected to make a major impact alongside local talent.