Dhaka: Opener Naim Sheikh has become the only local player to secure a deal worth more than a crore in the Bangladesh Premier League (BPL) players' auction, held today at a local hotel in the capital. The Chattogram Royals acquired his services for Tk 1.1 crore, after winning a competitive four-way bidding war. According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, Naim, who was placed in Category A with a base price of Tk 50 lakh, had fierce competition for his signature with Sylhet, Rangpur, and Noakhali trying hard, but it was Chattogram Royals who ultimately emerged victorious. Naim was the highest run-getter in the last BPL with 511 runs at a strike rate of 144 for Khulna Titans. He hit one century and three half-centuries. Bangladesh's T20 captain, Liton Das, was the only other Category A player to be auctioned, but he was sold to Rangpur Riders for Tk 70 lakh. Naim and Liton were the only two Category A locals to enter the auction, with the remaining Category A players already directly signed by franchises before the event. Another player who caught attention in the auction was Towhid Hridoy, whose performances saw multiple teams bidding for him. Starting with a base price of Tk 35 lakh, Hridoy was eventually sold to Rangpur Riders for Tk 92 lakh. Youngster Habibur Rahman Sohan generated excitement after his 35-ball century in the Rising Stars Asia Cup. Entering the auction with a base price of Tk 18 lakh, Sohan was picked up by Noakhali Express for Tk 50 lakh. His rapid rise shows the increasing value placed on young, explosive talents in the T20 format. His teammates pacer Abdul Gaffar Saqlain and allrounder SM Meherob were also in demand, with both players impressing in the Rising Stars tournament. Gaffar was bought by Rajshahi for Tk 44 lakh, while Meherob fetched Tk 39 lakh. Veteran players Mushfiqur Rahim and Mahmudullah Riyad, who were listed in Category B with a base price of Tk 35 lakh, initially went unsold. However, both were later picked up -- Mushfiqur by Rajshahi and Mahmudullah by Rangpur, each at t heir base price. Mominul Haque, who had gone unsold in the first round, was later signed by Sylhet for Tk 22 lakh. Meanwhile, Dhaka Capitals secured Shamim Patwari for Tk 56 lakh and Mohammad Saifuddin for Tk 68 lakh, adding further strength to their squad.
