The third edition of the Bangladesh Premier League (BPL) will roll onto grounds on November 24 with six teams; one less than the previous edition. The opening ceremony will be held two days before the tournament begins. The BPL's governing council confirmed the participating teams and the start of the trouble-hit Twenty20 competition during a press conference at Mirpur yesterday. However, there are still a number of aspects that are yet to be finalised.

"Akram Khan and Khaled Mahmud, our two directors, have been assigned to make a report about the player auction. The umpires committee will finalise the playing conditions. We are yet to take a decision about the quota of foreign players. Gradually everything will be finalised. We have chosen three venues -- Dhaka, Chittagong and Khulna -- but ultimately we will decide on two," informed BPL governing council member secretary IH Mallick.

Beximco Group snapped up highly-desired Dhaka franchise, while DBL Group settled for Chittagong. Axiom bought Barisal and Alif Group took Sylhet, while I Sports acquired Rangpur. Comilla, the newcomers, were bought by Royal Sports Ltd. The franchises from Rajshahi and Khulna were excluded.

"All the new organisations applied for their desired teams. Axiom wanted Barisal and we gave them verbal assurance as Alif Group didn't pay the dues then, but Alif also desired Barisal after paying their dues. However, we said no and Alif Group then chose Sylhet," Mallick continued, explaining how they distributed the franchises.

The previous owner of Sylhet got Comilla, but questions arose how Comilla, a district town, entered the battle.

"Mymensingh is going to be a division and Comilla also has a chance. We are not going with only the divisional teams," explained Mallick, adding that future iterations may have ten franchises.

The owners signed four-year deals and in exchange they will have to pay Tk 1 crore as a franchise fee and Tk 4.5 crore as bank guarantee per year.

Addressing questions about conflict of interest Mallick said, "I work at Beximco Pharma, but the team was bought by Beximco Group. I am an employee, not the owner of the company, so I will not be involved with the team. Our board president [Nazmul Hassan Papon] is also an employee, so he has no link to the team. So there is no question of a conflict of interest."

He also said that members from the governing council could not be involved with the teams in any capacity.

As the owners will spend about Tk 7 crore annually, the question was asked how the BCB would share revenue.

"They will not get anything from the BCB. There is no question of sharing revenue. They can earn from team sponsorships and other areas," said Mallick, adding that their aim is not to make a business.

Last but not the least, Mallick was asked who the reigning champions would be after holders Dhaka Gladiators were charged with match-fixing. However, Mallick himself failed to clear that issue.