{"id":2183809,"date":"2025-12-02T07:56:44","date_gmt":"2025-12-02T07:56:44","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/celebrity.land\/en\/?p=2183809"},"modified":"2025-12-02T07:56:44","modified_gmt":"2025-12-02T07:56:44","slug":"bpl-2026-auction-proceeds-after-high-court-clearance-chittagong-royals-break-the-bank-on-mohammad-naim","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/celebrity.land\/en\/bpl-2026-auction-proceeds-after-high-court-clearance-chittagong-royals-break-the-bank-on-mohammad-naim\/","title":{"rendered":"BPL 2026 auction proceeds after High Court clearance; Chittagong Royals break the bank on Mohammad Naim"},"content":{"rendered":"

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BPL returns to auction format after 12 years with high drama<\/strong><\/h2>\n

After more than a decade of relying on a draft system, the Bangladesh Premier League (BPL) <\/a>made its long-awaited return to a player auction format <\/a>on Sunday, held at a city hotel. This was the league\u2019s first auction since its inaugural season in 2012.<\/p>\n

The high-stakes event was delayed by nearly an hour due to a legal hold-up \u2014 the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) <\/a>awaited High Court clearance after nine cricketers filed writ petitions for being excluded from the auction over fixing-related allegations.<\/p>\n

When the auction finally got underway, it opened with a headline-making moment.<\/p>\n

Mohammad Naim headlines the auction with record price<\/strong><\/h2>\n

Chittagong Royals<\/a> kicked off the day by signing opener Mohammad Naim<\/a> as the first player on the auction block. Naim, who was the leading run-scorer in the previous BPL season, fetched over BDT 1 crore (approx. US$ 82k), becoming the only player to cross that threshold.<\/p>\n

According to a report by Cricbuzz, Naim\u2019s price set a new benchmark for domestic players and underscored the Royals\u2019 aggressive intent heading into the 2026 season.<\/p>\n

Towhid Hridoy and Litton Das<\/a> were the next big-ticket signings, with Rangpur Riders<\/a> securing both players for US$ 73,600 and US$ 56,000 respectively.<\/p>\n

Veterans Mahmudullah and Mushfiqur find late takers<\/strong><\/h2>\n

The auction wasn\u2019t without its share of surprises. Two of Bangladesh\u2019s most seasoned campaigners \u2014 Mahmudullah <\/a>and Mushfiqur Rahim<\/a> \u2014 received no initial bids despite being in Category B.<\/p>\n

However, following a request by BCB director and Rangpur Riders CEO Ishtiaque Sadeque<\/a>, the auctioneer reopened bidding for both players. Mahmudullah was picked by Rangpur Riders, and Mushfiqur Rahim was signed by Rajshahi Warriors \u2014 both at their base price of BDT 35 lakh (approx. US$ 28.7k).<\/p>\n

Rangpur Riders team director Shanian Taneem later clarified the team\u2019s strategy, saying, \u201cIf anyone thinks Mahmudullah Riyad went unsold, that\u2019s not entirely correct. Every team had limitations. With 14 players each in A and B categories and restrictions that we couldn\u2019t pick more than two, we had to choose based on strategy. But Mahmudullah was always in our plans. A player of his calibre should be in any team\u2019s plans.\u201d<\/p>\n

Noakhali Express benefit from auction confusion<\/strong><\/h2>\n

One of the most talked-about moments came when Noakhali Express managed to sign Mahidul Islam and Jaker Ali at their base prices. The move came after a moment of confusion during the auction, when Chattogram Royals picked two players consecutively, leading others to believe they were restricted from further bidding in Categories A and B.<\/p>\n

With only five franchises having picked from the top tiers, Noakhali capitalized on the situation, adding two promising players uncontested.<\/p>\n

Reflecting on the stroke of fortune, head coach Khaled Mahmud said, \u201cI am happy to get those two cricketers at their base price because I didn\u2019t expect it,\u201d as quoted by Cricbuzz.<\/p>\n

Uncapped players and overseas buys make waves<\/strong><\/h2>\n

Among the uncapped players, Habibur Rahman Sohan stood out. On the back of his strong showing for Bangladesh A in the Asia Cup Rising Stars tournament, he was picked up by Noakhali Express for US$ 40,000.<\/p>\n

Mohammad Mithun sparked a fierce bidding war, with his value rising from Tk 22 lakh (approx. US$ 18k) to Tk 52 lakh (approx. US$ 42.6k). Emerging talent Abdul Gaffar Saqlain saw his price climb from Tk 18 lakh (approx. US$ 14.8k) to 44 lakh (approx. US$ 36k), while SM Meherob Hasan was acquired for Tk 39 lakh (approx. US$ 32k).<\/p>\n

On the international front, Sri Lankan all-rounder Dasun Shanaka was the highest-paid overseas player, going to Dhaka Capitals for US$ 55,000. Angelo Mathews and Niroshan Dickwella were signed at their Category A base prices of US$ 35,000 by Chittagong Royals and Sylhet Titans, respectively.<\/p>\n

Six teams gear up for BPL 2026<\/strong><\/h2>\n

The 2026 edition of the BPL will feature six franchises: Dhaka Capitals, Rangpur Riders, Rajshahi Warriors, Noakhali Express, Sylhet Titans, and Chittagong Royals. The tournament is scheduled to run from December 26 to January 23.<\/p>\n

With blockbuster signings, last-minute turnarounds, and strategic gambles, the return to the auction format has already set the stage for a fiercely competitive BPL season.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n