Despite the upcoming Bangladesh Premier League (BPL) clashing with the South African SA20 League, two Bangladeshi cricketers, Mohammad Saifuddin and Hasan Mahmud, have expressed interest in participating in the SA20 auction. While the SA20 has already completed two successful seasons, its third edition is set to begin on January 9, coinciding with the BPL schedule.

On October 1, the SA20 will hold its player auction, featuring a pool of 200 cricketers, including Saifuddin and Hasan. However, with both players expected to be fully involved in the BPL during that period, their chances of securing a team in the SA20 are considered slim. Moreover, no Bangladeshi cricketer has previously participated in the South African league due to its overlap with the BPL.

Not only does the SA20 face competition from the BPL, but it also runs alongside other major leagues such as Australia’s Big Bash League, New Zealand’s Super Smash, and the UAE’s ILT20. The growing appeal of the SA20 and ILT20 has attracted numerous top international players, many of whom are already aligned with franchises owned by IPL teams.

Even though Saifuddin and Hasan have registered for the SA20 auction, only 13 slots remain available across six teams, with many rosters already taking shape. Each team can have 19 players, including 10 South Africans, with the remaining seven spots reserved for foreign cricketers.

Among the names listed for the auction are international stars like Pakistan’s Naseem Shah, New Zealand’s Martin Guptill, Sri Lanka’s Kusal Mendis, and South Africa’s Rassie van der Dussen. Several high-profile players have already confirmed their participation in the SA20 and will be unavailable for the BPL. Some notable signings include Brendon King, Marcus Stoinis, Rashid Khan, Ben Stokes, and Jonny Bairstow.