Noakhali Express Managing Director (MD) Bazlur Rahman Ratan raised some eyebrows ahead of the franchise's maiden Bangladesh Premier League (BPL) campaign with his unusually candid comments on captaincy preferences and by messing up the name of the side's head coach.

Speaking to the media on Thursday, Ratan was asked about the team's leadership plans and whether national team's wicketkeeper-batter Jaker Ali Anik could become the captain.

The MD, rather than putting forth the team's plan, divulged on his personal preference.

"No, Jaker Ali Anik is not my personal preference for captain. That is the reality. I would prefer Nabi [Mohammad] or Kusal Mendis over Jaker Ali Anik," he said.

Ratan drew further attention when he mistakenly called his team's head coach Khaled Mahmud Sujon as "Sumon" during the press briefing. Correcting himself after being prompted, he revealed who was his preferred candidate.

"For captaincy, there are two or three choices right now. Since we have a coach, since Sujon Bhai is the coach…. We also have a plan to suggest a captain to the coach. We will try for Soumya Sarkar…"

Noakhali were compelled to pick Jaker at his base price of Tk 35 lakh during the November 30 players' auction. The franchise had failed to sign any players from categories A and B, and as they were bound to select at least two players from the top categories, they had to rope in the two unpicked players -- Jaker and Mahidul Islam Ankon.

Ratan further revealed that Noakhali had attempted to sign national team all-rounder Mohammad Saifuddin in the auction, but were outbid by Dhaka Capitals, who bought him for Tk 68 lakh.

At the event, actor Ziaul Hoque Palash was also announced as the team's brand ambassador.