Steven Smith to play in the BPL after BCB changes rules

The BPL has amended the players’ draft rule that was previously raised as a point of contention by franchises over Smith’s participation

The Bangladesh Premier League, on Thursday, has overturned its decision by making a change in rule over players selection that could make Steve Smith’s participation possible in the upcoming season, which is set to begin from January 5, 2019.

According to a report by Cricbuzz, the BPL has amended the players’ draft rule that was previously raised as a point of contention by franchises over Smith’s participation.

Each team is allowed to sign two players outside of the draft. Replacing Asela Gunaratne, former Australia captain Smith was signed by Comilla Victorian.

The franchises pointed out that Smith too was picked from outside the draft, making the signing against the laws.

However, now that a majority of franchises wrote to the BPL governing council, relaxing their stance over the matter, BCB changed the tournament rules, allowing a side to now replace a maximum of one outside-the-draft player with another.

According to Cricbuzz, the governing council issued a letter to franchises that states “This Memo is being issued in view of the request received from majority of the franchisees to revise the rules as contained in BPL T20 Player Draft Rules – BPL T20, 2018-2019 (“the Rules”) pertaining to replacement of a directly purchased overseas player from outside the players’ draft list.”

It further added: “Upon considering their application and taking into account the greater interest of the tournament and on the recommendation of BPL Governing Council, the board decided to amend the rules, that will now allow all the franchisees to replace one (01) directly purchased overseas player (if required) from outside the Players’ Draft List.”