Shifting sands in the Bangladesh Premier League as new challenges unfold

The Bangladesh Premier League (BPL) 2024 is officially set to be underway, with an exciting set of matches marking the opening day.

On Friday, 29 November, Munshiganj Brothers Union will face Bangladesh Police, while in Gazipur, Mohammadan Sporting Club will take on Dhaka Wanderers Club.

At the Bashundhara Kings Arena, the defending champions Bashundhara Kings will play against Chattogram Abahani.

The league promises a fresh atmosphere, shaped by several significant changes to the domestic football scene.

One of the most notable changes this year is the absence of two former champions, Sheikh Jamal Dhanmondi Club and Sheikh Russell Krira Chakra. Political shifts have led to both clubs withdrawing from the league.

While Dhaka Abahani will participate, they are facing a unique challenge—this season, the team will be playing without any foreign players. Meanwhile, Chattogram Abahani will be fielding a squad that has been hastily assembled, raising questions about their prospects for the season.

Despite these challenges, Brothers Union is considered to have built a strong team on paper, although the team's performance will ultimately tell the full story.

A changing landscape for domestic football

The 2024-25 football season began with the Bangladesh Challenge Cup on 22 November, and now, just a week later, the Bangladesh Premier League is taking centre stage.

The competition will run alongside the Federation Cup, with matches scheduled on Fridays and Saturdays for the Premier League and Tuesdays for the Federation Cup.

Political changes earlier in the year on 5 August had a lasting impact on several clubs, resulting in the withdrawal of former champions Sheikh Jamal and Sheikh Russell.

Dhaka Abahani, typically a dominant force, is fielding a team without foreign players for the first time since 1990, owing to financial difficulties. Chattogram Abahani also faced significant challenges, but former national players like Zahid Hasan Emily and Mamunul Islam have helped the club assemble a team to compete this season.

The absence of Sheikh Jamal and Sheikh Russell, along with the difficulties faced by other clubs, has brought a sense of uncertainty to the league. The lack of foreign players across several teams, especially Dhaka Abahani, has raised concerns about the overall quality of play.

However, it also opens up opportunities for local talent to shine. The opening day matches will give us a glimpse of how these changes will affect the competition, with high hopes for a thrilling season.

Bashundhara Kings aim for a record-breaking sixth title

Bashundhara Kings, who have been a dominant force in recent years, will begin their title defence with a match against Chattogram Abahani. The team's record under former Spanish coach Oscar Bruzon has been impressive, with five consecutive league titles.

However, this year's team will start without two key figures from last season—Robson de Souza (Robson) and the coach, Bruzon, who both left the club. Despite these changes, Bashundhara Kings have already secured a strong start to the season, winning the Bangladesh 2.0 Challenge Cup final against Mohammadan.

Their dominance is evident from their record against Chattogram Abahani, having won all six of their recent encounters, including a resounding 5-0 victory in the last match-up. Bashundhara Kings have scored 20 goals and conceded just one goal in their last six meetings with Chattogram Abahani, underlining their superiority.

However, without their foreign players, including Robson, it remains to be seen how they will fare in the long run.

Brothers Union and Bangladesh Police look to make a strong start

Brothers Union, aiming to make an impact after a few difficult seasons, will face Bangladesh Police in their opening match.

The team has made notable signings, including midfielder Jamal Bhuiyan, although his participation is still uncertain due to registration issues. Brothers Union will be hoping to improve on their last season, when they faced Bangladesh Police in Mymensingh and lost 2-0.

Police have been unbeaten in their last five Premier League matches against Brothers Union, winning three and drawing two.

Mohammadan and Dhaka Wanderers seek a competitive start

Once a fierce rivalry, the matches between Mohammadan and Dhaka Wanderers have lost some of their intensity, especially since Wanderers' relegation from the top tier.

However, with Wanderers returning to the Premier League this season, the question remains: how competitive will they be against established sides like Mohammadan? Mohammadan, who finished as runners-up last season in all competitions, will be looking to build on their recent form, which included a second-place finish in the Challenge Cup.

However, the club's supporters are frustrated after the squad failed to retain key players from last season.

Venues and expectations for the season ahead

This season's Premier League will be played across five main venues: Kings Arena, Munshiganj, Gazipur, and new additions in Mymensingh and Comilla.

The season opener will see three exciting matches on Friday, 29 November, with the first kick-offs at 2:30 PM for the Munshiganj and Gazipur encounters, followed by the Bashundhara Kings vs. Chattogram Abahani clash at 5:30 PM at Kings Arena.

In addition to the league action, the upcoming Federation Cup, starting on 3 December, will be hosted at Comilla, Mymensingh, and Kings Arena.

With many questions surrounding the strength of teams, the quality of local players, and the impact of the absence of foreign players, this season is poised to be one of the most unpredictable in recent memory.

As Bashundhara Kings pursue an unprecedented sixth consecutive title, all eyes will be on how the newly reshaped league unfolds.