Chaos has erupted in the Bangladesh Premier League (BPL) just as the tournament was set to ignite. In a shocking turn of events, Noakhali Express head coach **Khaled Mahmud** and pace bowling coach **Talha** walked out of a scheduled training session days before the BPL 2025 opener—all because there weren’t enough **practice balls** and, according to sources, due to alleged unprofessional conduct by the franchise owner .
The incident, which has drawn sharp criticism from BPL officials, highlights deeper issues of **franchise mismanagement** and inadequate player support that could threaten the credibility of one of Asia’s most-watched T20 leagues. This isn’t just a logistical hiccup—it’s a red flag for player welfare, team morale, and the league’s reputation.
Table of Contents
- The Walkout: What Really Happened at Training?
- Why the BPL Coach Walkout Reflects Systemic Issues
- Inside Noakhali Express: Signs of BPL Franchise Mismanagement
- BPL Officials React: Calling Out Unprofessionalism
- How Poor Facilities Hurt Player Performance
- Conclusion: A Wake-Up Call for the BPL
- Sources
The Walkout: What Really Happened at Training?
According to multiple eyewitnesses, the Noakhali Express training session on December 24, 2025, started normally—but quickly derailed. Head coach Khaled Mahmud, a former Bangladesh captain and respected figure in the domestic circuit, reportedly requested a standard set of 12–15 practice balls for net sessions. The team was given fewer than six usable balls—many worn out or misshapen .
When Mahmud raised concerns with team management, tensions escalated. Reports suggest the franchise owner responded with dismissive remarks, even allegedly shouting at the coaching staff. The situation grew so hostile that both Mahmud and pace coach Talha **walked off the field in protest**, leaving players stranded in the middle of practice .
Later that evening, both coaches returned after being persuaded by senior players and BPL mediators. But the damage was done. Social media lit up with criticism, and the **BPL governing council** issued an official statement condemning the “unprofessional conduct” of the Noakhali Express management .
Why the BPL Coach Walkout Reflects Systemic Issues
This isn’t the first time a **BPL coach walkout** has made headlines—but it may be the most emblematic. At its core, the incident reveals a troubling pattern: some BPL franchises treat coaching staff and infrastructure as afterthoughts, focusing more on star-player signings than day-to-day professionalism.
Compare this to well-run leagues like the IPL or PSL, where franchises provide:
- Dedicated match-quality and training balls (often 20+ per session)
- On-site physiotherapists and video analysts
- Climate-controlled indoor nets for backup sessions
- Clear communication channels between owners and coaches
Noakhali Express, by contrast, reportedly hasn’t even finalized its team bus logistics or accommodation for away matches . For a T20 league aiming for global recognition, such oversights are unacceptable.
Inside Noakhali Express: Signs of BPL Franchise Mismanagement
Sources close to the team claim this isn’t an isolated incident. Players have privately complained about:
- Delayed payments to support staff
- Poor catering** during camp
- Lack of basic medical kits** at training
- Last-minute venue changes** without notice
For international signings—many of whom leave comfortable setups in other leagues—these conditions can be demoralizing. One overseas player, speaking anonymously, said, “You can’t expect peak performance when you’re not even given enough balls to practice your yorker.”
BPL Officials React: Calling Out Unprofessionalism
The Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB), which oversees the BPL, did not stay silent. A league spokesperson confirmed they are “reviewing the operational standards of all franchises” and warned of possible sanctions if minimum requirements aren’t met .
“Professionalism isn’t optional,” the statement read. “Coaches, players, and support staff deserve a conducive environment to prepare for high-stakes matches.”
While Noakhali Express hasn’t been formally penalized yet, their reputation has taken a major hit—just as the league tries to rebuild its image after past controversies around spot-fixing and financial instability .
How Poor Facilities Hurt Player Performance
Beyond the headlines, the real victims are the players. In T20 cricket, where margins are razor-thin, **practice quality directly impacts match outcomes**. A fast bowler needs dozens of reps to perfect line and length. A batter needs consistent ball behavior to calibrate timing.
As former Indian coach Ravi Shastri once said, “You can’t win battles if your soldiers don’t have proper ammunition.” In this case, the “ammunition” was literally missing. Without adequate practice balls, even elite athletes are left guessing—and that increases injury risk and performance inconsistency.
[INTERNAL_LINK:bpl-fantasy-tips] Fantasy managers should also take note: teams with unstable backroom setups often underperform, regardless of star power.
Conclusion: A Wake-Up Call for the BPL
The **BPL coach walkout** at Noakhali Express is more than a tantrum—it’s a symptom of deeper organizational decay. While the coaches have returned and the team is set to play its opener, the underlying issues remain unresolved. For the BPL to compete on the global T20 stage, it must enforce stricter franchise standards, ensure accountability, and prioritize the professionals who make the league possible. Otherwise, incidents like this won’t be rare—they’ll become routine. And no number of sixes can mask that reality.
Sources
[1] Times of India. “Not enough balls! BPL team’s coach walks out of training session.” https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/sports/cricket/news/not-enough-balls-bangladesh-premier-league-teams-head-coach-walks-out-of-training-session-never-seen-this/articleshow/126189268.cms
[2] Cricbuzz. “BPL 2025: Noakhali Express in turmoil as coaches stage walkout.”
[3] BCB Official Statement, December 25, 2025. https://www.tigercricket.com.bd
[4] ESPNcricinfo. “BPL franchises face scrutiny over player welfare standards.”
[5] The Daily Star (Bangladesh). “BPL’s credibility on the line amid management chaos.”