The Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) has announced the launch of the women’s edition of the Bangladesh Premier League (BPL). The new T20 tournament is scheduled to begin in July 2026.
This move aims to grow women’s cricket by providing a professional platform for local players to compete.
Details of the New League
Rubaba Dowla, a director at the BCB and head of the women’s wing, confirmed the plans recently. The league will be the first franchise-based T20 competition for women in Bangladesh.
Key details of the tournament include:
- Teams: The first edition will feature three franchise teams.
- Player Selection: Local players will be chosen through a draft system rather than an auction.
- Foreign Players: Teams will be allowed to sign overseas players to improve the level of competition.
- Venues: Matches are expected to be held in Dhaka and Chattogram.
- Goal: The league is designed to find new talent and prepare players for international matches.
Cricket Ties With India
While the BCB is moving forward with the new league, cricket relations between Bangladesh and India remain difficult. Tours for both the Indian men’s and women’s teams to Bangladesh were postponed last year. These delays happened because of political changes and security concerns in Bangladesh.
Tensions increased after a dispute involving bowler Mustafizur Rahman. Following a directive from the BCCI, the Kolkata Knight Riders released him from their 2026 squad. In response, the BCB initially sought to move their 2026 T20 World Cup matches out of India. The ICC rejected this request, and Bangladesh was eventually replaced in the tournament by Scotland.
Current Status And Future Outlook
Despite the recent friction, there are signs of movement. The BCB recently sent a formal letter to the BCCI expressing a desire to mend ties and strengthen relations. The letter included a request to reconsider the six-match white-ball series that was postponed last year.
For now, the BCB is focused on the July launch of the Women’s BPL. The board hopes the tournament will give local cricketers the visibility and recognition they need to reach the next level.
