Sameen Rana, co-owner and chief operating officer of the Lahore Qalandars, has publicly stated his interest in expanding his franchise’s footprint into the Bangladesh Premier League (BPL). During recent discussions at the Sheikh Abu Jayed Stadium in Abu Dhabi, Rana emphasized that he is actively seeking ways to collaborate with Bangladesh cricket if the right business opportunity presents itself. I’ve been looking for an opportunity to be involved in Bangladesh cricket in some capacity. And I know there are reasons behind that, i know it’s been struggling for some time.
His comments come at a pivotal time for the BPL, which has recently seen its upcoming season delayed as the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) works through financial restructuring. BCB president Tamim Iqbal has previously indicated an openness to welcoming foreign franchises, provided they comply with necessary operational protocols.
Rana underscored his affinity for the nation, stating that Bangladesh holds a special place in his heart. He expressed a strong desire to contribute to the local ecosystem, noting, “If there’s an opportunity, I would love to be part of the BPL. It really depends on what kind of opportunity comes along.” He argued that despite the league’s current challenges, the immense passion for the sport in both Bangladesh and Pakistan suggests the tournament has significant untapped potential. “And if an opportunity arises where we can create a win-win situation, I would absolutely love to be part of the BPL,” he added.
Drawing on his 11-year tenure with the Pakistan Super League (PSL) and his involvement in T10 cricket and the Global League in South Africa, Rana has been sharing strategic insights with Tamim. He hopes his extensive administrative experience can prove valuable for the current board leadership as they look to refine the league’s structure. Obviously, I’ve been part of the PSL for 11 years. We were sharing some thoughts about how things could be improved,” he said. So, over the years, we’ve built a lot of knowledge, experience, and understanding.
Beyond franchise ownership, Rana is keen to formalize a development pipeline for Bangladeshi cricketers. He proposed an exchange program that would grant emerging talent from Bangladesh access to the Lahore Qalandars’ high-performance facilities in Islamabad. This model has already seen success elsewhere; the franchise recently signed an agreement with the Guyanese Ministry of Youth and Culture and previously hosted eight Zimbabwean players for a six-week intensive training camp. According to he, He would welcome players from Bangladesh as part of efforts to help emerging cricketers develop, citing similar initiatives with other cricketing nations.
Rana views this as a mutual learning opportunity, emphasizing, “I would love to see players from Bangladesh coming to Pakistan, if they’re interested, so that we can learn from each other.” He remains optimistic that a partnership can be forged, either through direct involvement in the BPL or via a dedicated talent development initiative between the two boards.
The Lahore Qalandars have already established a history with the Bangladeshi talent pool, having previously featured stars like Shakib Al Hasan, Mustafizur Rahman, and Rishad Hossain in their PSL lineups, further cementing the bond between the franchise and the nation’s cricketing community.
