BPL Faces a Rocky Start as Coaches Walks Out of Training

Noakhali Express head coach Khaled Mahmud walked out of the Sylhet International Cricket Stadium on Thursday during a training session, a day before the start of the Bangladesh Premier League (BPL), after complaining about poor training arrangements.

Mahmud left the venue with assistant coach Talha Jubair in an auto rickshaw, citing a lack of basic facilities, including an insufficient number of practice balls.

However, both coaches later returned to the stadium, with Mahmud describing the incident as a misunderstanding.

The issue began when the Noakhali Express coaching staff arrived at the stadium for training ahead of their opening match against Chattogram Royals on Thursday. They found only a handful of balls available for practice, which prompted Mahmud and Jubair to leave the ground immediately.

“I will not work in the BPL under these circumstances. I have never seen this in the BPL before,” Mahmud told reporters while leaving the venue.

Several members of the team’s staff attempted to persuade the coaches to return, assuring them the issue would not be repeated. Mahmud, however, initially stood firm on his decision.

Despite the coach’s absence, the players continued their training session. The Noakhali squad comprises overseas players Johnson Charles, Kusal Mendis, and Mohammad Nabi, as well as Bangladesh players Hasan Mahmud, Soumya Sarkar, and Jaker Ali.

Later, Mahmud said the incident was a misunderstanding and admitted that he had overreacted. He explained that there were not enough training facilities and equipment available, which caused him to lose his temper.

He acknowledged that his behavior at the time was inappropriate. He said he had spoken with the team owners and that officials from the BCB had also discussed the matter with him.

The incident occurred just hours after the BCB took control of Chattogram Royals following the withdrawal of their owners, Triangle Services Limited, who cited a lack of sponsor interest.

With both incidents happening within 24 hours of the start of the BPL’s twelfth edition, the situation has unsettled the BCB. Several senior board officials were seen at the Sylhet stadium later in the day.