Fears of franchise players league-hopping have come true after the Bangladesh Premier League (BPL) 2025 received a timely injection of star power, as several high-profile players joined the tournament’s playoff stage following their elimination from the International League T20 (ILT20) in the UAE.
Cricket boards such as the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) had earlier warned of such incidents when attempting to introduce new policies for their contracted players concerning franchise cricket. Their policies were met with scepticism by cricketers and experts alike, but the proliferation of franchise leagues may give rise to this debate again.
James Vince, Tim David, and Shimron Hetmyer—who played for Gulf Giants (GG) in the ILT20—and Andre Russell and Jason Holder, who represented Abu Dhabi Knight Riders (ADKR) in the ILT20, joined BPL teams after their teams were eliminated from the competition. All five players were immediately drafted into action during Monday’s BPL Eliminator match. Vince, David, and Russell suited up for the Rangpur Riders, while the Khulna Tigers welcomed the addition of Hetmyer and Holder.
Moving from one league to another while competitions are still ongoing creates better economic opportunities for the players but may undermine the impact of the tournaments. For instance, James Vince has now played in three different franchise leagues in quick succession—starting with the Big Bash League (BBL), then moving to the ILT20, and now joining the BPL playoffs—a stark example of how players navigate multiple leagues in a short period based on their team’s elimination.
The arrival of these T20 stars, however, provides a significant boost to the BPL, which has faced multiple controversies this season, including corruption allegations and player salary disputes. While the inclusion of such marquee players lends credibility to the league, it also highlights the fast-moving and fragmented nature of the global T20 circuit.
Although the BPL might not be overly concerned about the ILT20 stars joining the league for a short stint, the consequences going forward could have significant implications on how leagues offer future contracts to players.