Chittagong Kings
The Chittagong Kings are a professional Twenty20 cricket franchise based in Chattogram, Bangladesh, competing in the Bangladesh Premier League (BPL), the country's top domestic T20 competition.[1]
Established among the league's original teams for its 2012 debut season, the Kings reached the final in 2013, losing to Dhaka Gladiators by 43 runs.[2][3]
Following a twelve-year hiatus from the tournament, the franchise returned for the 2024–25 edition under new ownership, again advancing to the final but falling short against Fortune Barishal by three wickets on February 7, 2025.[4][5]
Notable for their resilience in playoff contention despite irregular participation, the team has relied on a blend of Bangladeshi stalwarts like captain Mahmudullah and international recruits to challenge for the title, though they have yet to secure a championship.[1][6]
Franchise History
Establishment (2012)
The Chittagong Kings franchise was formed as part of the inaugural Bangladesh Premier League (BPL), a Twenty20 cricket competition established by the Bangladesh Cricket Board to professionalize domestic cricket in the country.[7] The BPL's franchise auction occurred on January 10, 2012, where SQ Sports secured the rights to represent the Chittagong division for US$1.2 million, the highest amount among the six original teams.[8] SQ Sports, a consortium of Bangladeshi businessmen including those linked to Dhaka Dyeing, invested in building a competitive squad featuring international players such as Dwayne Bravo and Mahmudullah to compete in the league's first season, which began on February 9, 2012.[7] The ownership group, under the leadership of Sameer Quader Chowdhury, aimed to leverage the franchise to promote cricket in the Chittagong region while adhering to the BCB's guidelines for franchise operations and player drafts.[9] The establishment marked SQ Sports' entry into professional sports management, with the franchise focusing on a balanced team composition during the subsequent player auction on January 18–19, 2012, to prepare for matches held primarily in Dhaka and Chittagong venues.[8] This foundational phase set the stage for the Kings' participation in a league designed to attract global talent and boost Bangladesh's cricketing profile.[10]Early Participation and Performance (BPL 2012–2013)
The Chittagong Kings entered the inaugural Bangladesh Premier League (BPL) season in 2012 as one of six franchises, representing the city of Chittagong. The team competed in a 10-match league stage, securing 5 victories and suffering 5 defeats, which yielded 10 points and placed them fifth in the standings, outside the top four qualifiers for the playoffs.[11] Notable results included a 6-wicket win over Khulna Royal Bengals on February 12, 2012, chasing 172 in 19.1 overs after restricting the opposition to 171/3, and a 7-wicket victory against Sylhet Royals on February 15, 2012, reaching 154 in 17.3 overs to surpass 152/4.[12][13] Losses, such as a 3-wicket defeat to Dhaka Gladiators on February 13, 2012, after posting 153/6, highlighted inconsistencies in closing games.[14] In the 2013 BPL season, expanded to seven teams, the Kings improved to third place in the league stage with 6 wins and 6 losses from 12 matches, earning 12 points and a net run rate of +1.170, securing playoff qualification.[15] Under captain Mahmudullah, the team advanced through the playoffs to contest the final against Dhaka Gladiators on February 19, 2013, at Mirpur.[16] Dhaka posted 172/9, led by Anamul Haque's 58, before the Kings were bowled out for 129 in 16.5 overs, losing by 43 runs; Mahmudullah top-scored with 44, while Rubel Hossain claimed 4/44 for Chittagong.[17][18] This runner-up finish marked their strongest early performance, though spot-fixing allegations later surfaced regarding certain league matches.[19]Hiatus and Franchise Replacement (2013–2024)
Following the 2012–13 Bangladesh Premier League (BPL) season, in which the Chittagong Kings reached the final but lost to Dhaka Gladiators by 43 runs on February 4, 2013, the franchise entered a prolonged hiatus due to escalating financial irregularities under owner SQ Sports Enterprise Ltd. Players from the team publicly complained of unpaid salaries dating back to the 2013 season, with owner Sameer Quader Chowdhury repeatedly promising but failing to disburse payments, exacerbating tensions amid broader BPL controversies including match-fixing probes involving a Kings-Gladiators fixture.[20][21][9] The Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) responded by terminating SQ Sports' franchise rights around 2014 for non-compliance with contractual obligations, including unpaid franchise fees, taxes, and staff salaries from the 2012 and 2013 editions—dues that accumulated into claims exceeding Tk 46 crore by later arbitration stages. This action stemmed from SQ Sports' persistent breaches, prompting a decade-long legal arbitration that prevented the original ownership from participating while leaving unresolved liabilities such as player contracts and league contributions.[22][23][24] To maintain representation for the Chittagong division, the BCB reassigned the slot to new franchisees starting with the 2015 edition, launching Chittagong Vikings under fresh ownership, which competed through the 2016 season before further rebranding and ownership changes in subsequent years, including teams like Chattogram Challengers. This replacement ensured continuity for the region's participation amid the original Kings' enforced absence, as the BCB prioritized operational stability over reinstating the disputed entity until partial settlements in 2024.[9][25]Revival and 2025 Season
The Chittagong Kings franchise was revived for the 2024–25 Bangladesh Premier League season following the re-acquisition of ownership rights by SQ Sports Enterprise Ltd., which prompted the renaming of the Chattogram Challengers back to its original moniker after a 12-year absence.[26] A settlement agreement between SQ Sports and the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) was reached in September 2024, enabling the franchise's participation despite prior financial disputes.[27] The team announced key signings, including express pacer Shoriful Islam in October 2024, and appointed international figures such as Shahid Afridi as brand ambassador to bolster visibility.[9] The revived Kings entered the tournament with ambitions to compete at the top, assembling a squad blending local talents and overseas players like Usman Khan. The BPL season commenced on December 30, 2024, at the Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium in Mirpur, with the Kings securing their first victory shortly thereafter in a match that highlighted their competitive return.[28] Throughout the league phase, the team demonstrated resilience, particularly with a late surge that propelled them to second place on the points table, achieving eight wins from their matches.[29] Standout performances included Usman Khan's first century of the season against Durbar Rajshahi, underscoring the batting depth that surprised observers given the franchise's long hiatus.[30][31] In the playoffs, the Kings advanced to the final on February 7, 2025, at Mirpur, where they posted 194/3 but fell short by 3 wickets against Fortune Barishal, who defended their title.[32] This runners-up finish marked a successful re-entry, though internal issues such as delayed payments to players and staff emerged during the campaign, foreshadowing post-season conflicts.[33] The season's structure featured 10 teams competing in a round-robin format, with the Kings' performance validating the BCB's decision to reinstate the franchise amid efforts to stabilize league operations.[34]Termination by BCB (August 2025)
On July 22, 2025, the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) issued a notice terminating its settlement agreement with SQ Sports Enterprise Ltd., the franchise owner of Chittagong Kings in the Bangladesh Premier League (BPL), due to persistent non-payment of outstanding dues accumulated since 2013.[23][35] The BCB cited repeated financial breaches, including failure to honor a September 2024 settlement agreement that required installment payments toward the total liability exceeding Tk 46 crore (approximately $3.8 million USD).[36][27] The termination followed multiple formal reminders and notices from the BCB spanning 2013 to 2025, with no resolution despite opportunities for compliance, including during the franchise's revival and participation in the 2025 BPL season.[36][23] Specific defaults in 2025 included incomplete salary payments to head coach Shaun Tait, exacerbating the board's decision to revoke franchise rights and bar future participation.[37][27] As a result, the BCB demanded immediate recovery of the full outstanding amount from SQ Sports, emphasizing enforcement through legal channels if necessary, while affirming its commitment to financial accountability in league operations.[35][29] This action effectively ended Chittagong Kings' involvement in the BPL, marking the conclusion of a franchise that had twice reached the final but was hampered by chronic ownership disputes.[36][38]Ownership and Management
Primary Owners and Stakeholders
The Chittagong Kings franchise was established in 2012 under the ownership of SQ Sports Enterprise Ltd., which held the rights through its participation in the inaugural Bangladesh Premier League (BPL) seasons.[23] SQ Sports Enterprise Ltd. retained primary control during the team's early operations, including the 2012–2013 and 2013–2014 editions, before the franchise entered a hiatus due to ownership disputes and replacement by other entities.[29] Sameer Quader Chowdhury served as the key representative and decision-maker for SQ Sports Enterprise Ltd., overseeing franchise activities and public communications.[39] For the 2025 BPL revival, the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) reinstated the Chittagong Kings under the same SQ Sports ownership structure, with Chowdhury confirming the team's return and retention of its branding on September 16, 2024.[40] No additional primary stakeholders or equity partners beyond SQ Sports Enterprise Ltd. were publicly disclosed during this period.[41] Ownership faced scrutiny over financial obligations, including allegations of unpaid player wages and dues to the BCB totaling approximately Tk 46 crore (about $4 million USD) as of July 2025.[42] The BCB terminated the franchise agreement on August 14, 2025, citing SQ Sports' persistent failure to settle these amounts despite prior notices and a settlement attempt dated July 22, 2025.[23] Chowdhury disputed the claims, attributing issues to BCB mismanagement and arguing that the board's actions exacerbated league controversies.[40]Management and Coaching Staff
The head coach of the Chittagong Kings for the 2025 Bangladesh Premier League season was Shaun Tait, a former Australian fast bowler who had previously represented the franchise as a player during its early years.[43] Tait's appointment was announced in October 2024, with his role emphasizing player fitness, consistency, and fast bowling development, drawing on his experience mentoring Bangladesh's pace attack.[44] [45] Enamul Haque jnr, a former Bangladesh spinner and Kings player, served as assistant coach under Tait, contributing to strategic planning and player nurturing during the season.[45] Shahid Afridi, the retired Pakistani all-rounder, joined as team mentor in December 2024, providing guidance on match preparation and team dynamics based on his extensive T20 experience.[46] Following the franchise's termination by the Bangladesh Cricket Board in August 2025, the coaching staff was disbanded, with Tait subsequently appointed as Bangladesh's national fast bowling coach in May 2025.[47] No prior management or coaching details from the team's brief 2012–2013 stint are documented in available records for this section.Financial Operations and Disputes
The Chittagong Kings franchise, owned by S.Q. Sports Enterprise Ltd., encountered persistent financial difficulties throughout its participation in the Bangladesh Premier League (BPL), primarily manifesting in non-payment of obligations to the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB), players, and staff.[29] [48] These issues dated back to the franchise's early seasons in 2012 and 2013, where unpaid dues accumulated, contributing to its initial exclusion from subsequent BPL editions.[37] Upon revival for the 2025 BPL season (the 11th edition), the franchise again failed to meet salary commitments, including full payments to head coach Shaun Tait, foreign and local players, and support staff.[29] [27] A September 2024 settlement agreement between S.Q. Sports Enterprise and the BCB aimed to resolve outstanding liabilities but collapsed by July 2025 due to the owner's failure to make any required payments, prompting the BCB to issue a termination notice on July 22, 2025.[27] [35] The BCB subsequently terminated the franchise agreement on August 14, 2025, citing breaches of financial and contractual obligations, including over Tk 46 crore (approximately USD 3.78 million) in unpaid franchise fees, taxes, and other dues spanning multiple seasons.[29] [48] [49] Franchise owner Samir Kader Chowdhury publicly admitted withholding payments to specific players, such as Tanzid Hasan Emon, citing personal dissatisfaction rather than liquidity constraints, while disputing the full extent of the BCB's claims regarding total dues.[41] [50] These disputes extended to on-field repercussions during the 2025 season, with Sri Lankan pacer Binura Fernando boycotting matches over unpaid salaries, and promotional model Yesha Sagar departing midway after issuing a legal notice for non-payment.[51] [52] The BCB responded by assuming direct control of player payments for affected franchises, including the Kings, to mitigate broader league disruptions, and announced pursuit of all legal remedies for recovery without further concessions.[53] [23] This termination marked the second such action against the franchise, underscoring a pattern of financial mismanagement under S.Q. Sports Enterprise's stewardship.[54]Performance and Records
Overall League Statistics
The Chittagong Kings competed in the Bangladesh Premier League (BPL) during the 2011–12, 2012–13, and 2024–25 seasons, accumulating a total of 40 matches across these campaigns.[55] In the inaugural 2011–12 season, the team played 10 league matches, securing 5 wins and 5 losses to finish 5th and miss the playoffs.[56] The 2012–13 season marked their strongest league-stage performance, with 6 wins and 6 losses in 12 matches, earning 3rd place and qualification for the playoffs; they won their semi-final but lost the final to Dhaka Gladiators by 43 runs on February 19, 2013, for an overall season record of 7 wins and 7 losses in 14 matches.[57][17] In the 2024–25 season, they played 14 matches with 8 wins and 5 losses, advancing to the playoffs but losing the first qualifier to Fortune Barishal by 9 wickets on February 3, 2025.[58]| Season | Matches | Wins | Losses | Playoff Outcome |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2011–12 | 10 | 5 | 5 | Did not qualify |
| 2012–13 | 14 | 7 | 7 | Runners-up |
| 2024–25 | 14 | 8 | 6 | Lost Qualifier 1 |
Notable Achievements
The Chittagong Kings achieved runners-up position in the 2012–13 Bangladesh Premier League, advancing to the final where they were defeated by Dhaka Gladiators by 43 runs on February 14, 2013, with Dhaka posting 172/9 and the Kings scoring 129 in response.[17] This marked their best performance in the league's inaugural editions, having finished fifth in the 2012 league stage.[59] In their revived participation during the 2025 Bangladesh Premier League, the Kings secured second place in the league stage with a late-season surge, qualifying for the playoffs and defeating Khulna Tigers by 3 wickets in Qualifier 2 on February 5, 2025, chasing 164 on the final ball to reach their second BPL final.[60] They ultimately finished as runners-up, losing to Fortune Barishal in the final on February 7, 2025.[61] The 2025 season highlighted their batting prowess, as the Kings posted four innings totals exceeding 200 runs—the highest number by any team in a single BPL edition—including a league-high 219/5 against an unspecified opponent.[62] [63] This contributed to their involvement in one of the league's largest victories by runs, winning by 105 runs while defending 220. Overall, the franchise recorded a highest team total of 219 on two occasions across their BPL history.[64]Key Matches and Milestones
In the 2012–13 Bangladesh Premier League, Chittagong Kings reached the final after a strong playoff performance, but lost to Dhaka Gladiators by 43 runs, with Gladiators posting 172/9 and Kings managing 129 all out in 16.5 overs.[17] Earlier in the season, they secured a dominant 89-run victory over Khulna Royal Bengals, scoring 156/5 to restrict opponents to 67 all out.[65] These results marked the team's initial competitive milestones before entering hiatus. Following their revival for the 2024–25 season, Chittagong Kings finished second in the league stage, qualifying for playoffs amid a late surge that included high-scoring wins.[1] A standout match was their 105-run thrashing of Durbar Rajshahi on January 3, 2025, where Kings amassed 219/5—their highest T20 total—with Rajshahi collapsing to 114 in 17.1 overs.[66] They followed with a 24-run win over Fortune Barishal, posting 206/4 to Barishal's 182/7.[67] In the playoffs, Kings won the second qualifier to advance to the final, defeating opponents in a tense chase.[68] However, in the February 7, 2025, final at Mirpur, they fell short against Fortune Barishal by three wickets, scoring 194/3 before Barishal chased 195 with one wicket in hand.[5] This runner-up finish echoed their 2013 achievement, while the season's feats included contributing to a record number of 200-plus totals in BPL history.[62]Squad and Personnel
Iconic Players and Contributions
Usman Khan, a Pakistani batsman, delivered pivotal performances for Chittagong Kings in the 2024-25 Bangladesh Premier League season, accumulating 285 runs including a career-best 123 off 62 balls against Durbar Rajshahi on January 3, 2025—the fourth-highest individual score in BPL history.[1][69][70] Aliss Al Islam anchored the bowling, claiming 15 wickets at an economy rate of 6.32, ranking ninth among the tournament's leading wicket-takers and playing crucial roles in the playoffs, including dismissals that helped secure a spot in the final.[1][71][72] Graham Clark, the English opener, contributed aggressively with two centuries early in the campaign, providing momentum to the Kings' batting lineup despite later inconsistencies.[73] Naeem Islam offered all-round utility, highlighted by a match-winning fifty in a 111-run victory over Durbar Rajshahi on January 21, 2025, and a 57-run knock in the final against Fortune Barishal on February 7, 2025, where he earned the highest impact points for the Kings.[74][75] Experienced overseas players such as England's Moeen Ali and Sri Lanka's Angelo Mathews bolstered the squad with spin expertise and middle-order stability, respectively, aiding the team's run to the final.[76]| Player | Key Statistics | Notable Contribution |
|---|---|---|
| Usman Khan | 285 runs | 123 off 62 vs. Durbar Rajshahi (Jan 3, 2025)[69] |
| Aliss Al Islam | 15 wickets (econ. 6.32) | Playoff breakthroughs to reach final[72] |
| Graham Clark | Multiple centuries | Early-season batting fireworks[73] |
| Naeem Islam | 50+ scores in key wins | 57 in BPL final (Feb 7, 2025)[75] |