Bangladesh Premier League Season Faces Delay Amid Election Uncertainty; May Window Considered

The upcoming season of the Bangladesh Premier League (BPL) is likely to be postponed and may be moved from its traditional December-January slot to May, according to BPL chairman Mahbub Anam. The announcement was made following an emergency meeting of the board of directors held at the Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium on Thursday, July 10th.

BCB is waiting for the decision of the government before fixing the slot for the upcoming edition of BPL © BCB

The potential rescheduling is due to the upcoming general elections, which are anticipated to be held in early 2026. Professor Muhammad Yunus, Chief Adviser, has instructed all relevant agencies to finalize preparations by December to ensure the elections proceed smoothly and peacefully.

Mahbub Anam stated that the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) is awaiting a final decision from the government before confirming the new dates for the BPL. While the December-January window remains a possibility, May is being considered as an alternative.

"BPL slot may change due to the elections," Mahbub explained. "BPL [could be] before December, or another slot is being planned... May [window] is another option."

In addition to the scheduling changes, the BCB is also looking to appoint a sports marketing consultancy firm to manage the tournament. This decision comes after previous seasons have been plagued by controversies.

The BCB has already issued an Expression of Interest (EOI) for the appointment of a sports marketing consultancy firm. According to Mahbub, preference will be given to firms with a proven track record of organizing international T20 leagues.

"Agency with experience of organizing international T20 leagues and have skilled officials will be appointed... so experienced ones will be prioritized," he emphasized.

Mahbub further stressed the need to elevate the BPL's standards and brand value. "BPL needs to set up its own standard... We will try to increase the brand value of BPL," he said.

He also noted that numerous companies have expressed interest in participating in the league's new five-year cycle.

"Lot of companies are showing interest but they will be assessed only after the new financial model is finalized," he stated.

The BCB is also considering expanding the number of venues for the BPL. Currently, matches are held in Dhaka, Chattogram, and Sylhet.

"We will try to increase the number of venues... New venues will be added if they meet ICC standards and provide suitable accommodation for players," Mahbub explained.

Bogura and Khulna stadiums have already been submitted for auditing, while Barisal Stadium is undergoing renovations. Rajshahi is also being evaluated by the National Sports Council. The best venues that meet the required criteria will be considered for inclusion in the upcoming BPL season.