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Bangladesh Cricket Team and Jay Shah (Source: AFP)
In a significant development, the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) said it is moving forward with preparations to revive its premier domestic tournament, despite several disagreements with club organisers.
Bangladesh cricket has remained in the spotlight since its disappointing exit from the ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2026. The situation became more complicated after pacer Mustafizur Rahman was removed by the KKR from the ongoing IPL 2026.
This matter was then raised by BCB with the International Cricket Council (ICC). The board had requested that its World Cup matches be relocated to Sri Lanka, but the appeal was rejected, and Bangladesh was eventually replaced by Scotland in the global tournament.
Adding to the strained relationship with India, the BCB has also reached out to the BCCI recently regarding India's upcoming tour of Bangladesh. While the BCCI has acknowledged receiving the letter, no final decision has been made yet (as per reports from Dainik Jagran).
BCB moves ahead with Dhaka Premier League plans
Amid these challenges, the BCB is now focusing on strengthening its domestic structure to rebuild confidence and ensure long-term growth in Bangladesh cricket.
The BCB is focusing on reviving its premier domestic competition, the Dhaka Premier Division Cricket League, for the 2025–26 season. The league, Bangladesh's top-tier List A tournament, plays a crucial role in developing new talent for the national team.
The Cricket Committee of Dhaka Metropolis (CCDM), which oversees domestic competitions, is scheduled to meet representatives from participating clubs on April 8.
The meeting aims to finalise fixtures, logistics, and operational plans for the upcoming season. In an official statement, the BCB stressed the importance of maintaining continuity in domestic cricket.
“Let criticism continue, let competition continue—but cricket must not stop,” Babu said on Friday.
“While cricket is ongoing, we can discuss issues, raise concerns, and resolve them. There is a lot that can be achieved if we are willing,” he added.
"The Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) continues to prioritise the Dhaka league structure, a key platform for developing talent and supporting cricketers nationwide," the BCB said in a statement on Friday.
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"The Dhaka Premier Division Cricket League (DPDCL), the country's top List A competition, remains central to this system and a major pathway to the national team," it said.
"The BCB aims to work closely with all stakeholders to ensure a well-organised and competitive league," it added.
BCB gears up for DPL despite standoff with clubs
However, the BCB's efforts are facing resistance from several Dhaka-based clubs. Reports from Cricbuzz suggest that only three to four clubs are currently willing to engage with the CCDM and participate in the league.
Many others have refused to cooperate, claiming that the current BCB administration is not legitimate.
"I am not sure whether all the clubs will be interested to sit with CCDM as they feel this board is illegal," a seasoned club organizer told Cricbuzz on Friday.
"I guess there are three to four clubs that are ready to play the DPL at this moment. Unless the issue between the board and the clubs are sorted these attempts are expected to be futile," it added.
Why was the Dhaka Premier Division Cricket League Stopped?
The Dhaka Premier Division Cricket League had come to a standstill primarily due to a boycott by the majority of participating clubs. The clubs are protesting against the current BCB administration.
The controversy began with a disputed election process, which has led to a lack of trust between the board and club organisers. As a result, most clubs have refused to take part in league activities until their concerns are addressed.
Bangladesh's Qualification scenario for 2027 World Cup
Bangladesh is currently well-positioned to qualify directly for the 2027 ICC Men's ODI World Cup. As things stand, Bangladesh are ranked 9th in the ICC Men's ODI Team Rankings.
The 2027 ODI World Cup, scheduled to be hosted by South Africa and Zimbabwe, will feature 14 teams.
The qualification system is structured as follows: both South Africa and Zimbabwe will qualify automatically as hosts. The top eight teams in the ICC ODI rankings will secure direct qualification, excluding the host nations.
If a host nation is already ranked in the top eight, its spot effectively passes down to the next team in the rankings. Currently, South Africa is ranked in the top eight (5th place). Because they have already qualified as hosts, their position in the top eight opens up an additional slot.
As a result, Bangladesh, sitting at 9th, is, for now, in line to qualify directly.
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