Naim Sheikh sold for over Tk 1cr in BPL auction

The Bangladesh Premier League’s (BPL) 12th-season auction began with drama and surprises, placing opener Mohammad Naim Sheikh at the centre of fierce bidding. The left-hander became a “millionaire” in the very first call after being sold for more than double his base price.

In category A, Naim Sheikh’s base price was Tk 50 lakh. Sylhet Titans and Rangpur Riders started the bidding, later joined by Noakhali Express. When the price reached Tk 80 lakh, new franchise Chattogram Royals entered the contest. After intense bidding, Chattogram secured Naim for Tk 1 crore 10 lakh. The price reflects his strong performance last season when he scored 511 runs at a strike rate of 194. Rangpur Riders, however, picked up Liton Das without much effort for Tk 70 lakh.

Towhid Hridoy pulled off one of the biggest surprises of the auction. Listed in category B with a base price of Tk 35 lakh, he became the subject of aggressive bidding between multiple franchises before being sold to Rangpur Riders for Tk 92 lakh—nearly triple his base price.

The first round also saw a major shock, as experienced stars Mushfiqur Rahim and Mahmudullah Riyad went unsold. Their names will be brought up again later, as per rules.

Among others, pace all-rounder Mohammad Saifuddin and Mohammad Mithun were signed by Dhaka Capitals for Tk 68 lakh and Tk 52 lakh respectively. Speedster Nahid Rana went to Rangpur for Tk 56 lakh. Habibur Rahman Sohan, who recently impressed in Rising Stars Asia, joined Noakhali Express for Tk 50 lakh after rising from his base price of Tk 18 lakh.