Get Newsletter
Notification products, updates
×
×Notification products, updates
August 14, 2024
The Bangladesh Premier League (BPL) is a professional Twenty20 cricket league managed by the BPL Governing Council. It’s one of three major cricket leagues in Bangladesh and ranks 16th most attended premier league worldwide. The league takes place in the winter, where each team plays against all other teams twice in the league stage. After the regular season, the top four teams move on to the playoffs, including single-elimination and qualifier matches. This led to the championship game between Qualifier 1 and Qualifier 2 winners.
The Bangladesh Cricket Board established the BPL in 2011 following the suspension of its predecessor, the 2009/10 National Cricket League Twenty20. The inaugural season occurred in February 2012, with games in Dhaka and Chittagong. The league is overseen by the chairman of the BPL Governing Council.
After the success of franchise-based Twenty20 cricket leagues like the Indian Premier League, the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) decided to create a similar franchise league to replace the National Cricket League. On January 18, 2012, the BCB signed a 6-year, 350-crore deal with Game on Sports Group, giving them exclusive rights to manage the new tournament. The league started with six teams representing the largest cities in Bangladesh. During the franchise auction, nine companies competed, and six won the rights to own a team.
In July 2022, after the ICC reserved January and February for the BPL in its Future Tours Programme, the BCB announced the league’s schedule for the next three seasons.
The first edition of the Bangladesh Premier League (BPL) began on February 9, 2012, with a grand opening ceremony at the Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium in Dhaka, Bangladesh’s capital. The player auction took place on January 18 and 19, 2012, and the tournament’s first match was held on February 9, 2012, at the same stadium between Sylhet Royals and Barisal Burners. The final game saw Dhaka Gladiators face Barisal Burners, with Dhaka Gladiators winning the championship by eight wickets. All matches in the inaugural season were played at the Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium in Dhaka and the Zohur Ahmed Chowdhury Stadium in Chattogram, the country’s second-largest city.
The Rangpur Riders were added as a seventh team for the second season of the Bangladesh Premier League. In the final, Dhaka Gladiators again emerged as champions, defeating Chittagong Kings by 43 runs. The final was held at the Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium in Dhaka. Most matches were played at the MA Aziz Stadium, which replaced the Zohur Ahmed Chowdhury Stadium in Chattogram due to its larger capacity. The Sheikh Abu Naser Stadium in Khulna, the third-largest city, was also introduced as a venue.
However, the 2012-13 season was marred by match-fixing accusations. As a result, the owners of all six original franchises were suspended in 2013 due to repeated violations of league regulations and delays in paying players. The owners of Dhaka Gladiators received a lifetime ban from the league, and several players and administrators, including former Bangladesh captain Mohammad Ashraful, were banned for their involvement in match-fixing.
Due to a match-fixing scandal and political issues in the country, the Bangladesh Premier League (BPL) was not held in 2014. The league returned in 2015 with six new franchises and was moved to the winter season instead of spring. Comilla Victorians won the competition by defeating Barisal Bulls by three wickets. Before the 2016-17 season, the Sylhet Super Stars were suspended for disciplinary violations. Two new franchises, Khulna Titans and Rajshahi Kings, were introduced, bringing the total number of teams back to seven.
The 2016 BPL draft took place on September 30. Before the draft, the seven teams signed 38 foreign players, and each franchise was allowed to retain two local players from the 2015 season. A total of 301 players, including 133 local and 168 foreign players, participated in the draft, with 85 players being selected.
Dhaka Dynamites, captained by Shakib Al Hasan, finished first in the group stage. At the same time, Rajshahi Kings, led by Darren Sammy, secured the fourth spot. The Dynamites defeated Khulna Titans in Qualifier 1 to reach the final. Rajshahi Kings advanced to the final by defeating Chittagong Vikings in the Eliminator and then Khulna Titans in Qualifier 2.
In the final, Kings’ captain Darren Sammy chose to field first after winning the toss. Dhaka Dynamites scored 159 runs in 20 overs, losing 9 wickets. Evin Lewis was the top scorer with 45 runs. For the Kings, Farhad Reza took 3 wickets for 28 runs. The Kings struggled to build a strong opening partnership and started losing wickets after reaching 60 runs. They were eventually bowled out, and the Dynamites won by a convincing 56-run margin, claiming their first title. Kumar Sangakkara was named Man of the Match. This marked the third title for a Dhaka-based franchise in BPL history.
Khulna Titans’ captain Mahmudullah was named Player of the Tournament for scoring 384 runs, the second-highest in the tournament, and for his crucial bowling performances in defending tight margins in multiple games.
The fifth season of the Bangladesh Premier League (BPL) was organized by the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) and featured seven teams representing different cities. The season ran from November 4 to December 12, 2017. The defending champions, Dhaka Dynamites, faced Sylhet Sixers in the Sylhet International Cricket Stadium opening match. Barisal Bulls were excluded from the tournament due to financial issues.
The group stage matches were divided into three blocks. The first and third blocks were played in Dhaka, while the middle block of 10 matches took place in Chittagong. Two games were scheduled each day during the group stage. However, the first four matches were washed out due to heavy rain, leading to the postponement of the matches on November 6. The tournament resumed on November 8, with the first six fixtures rescheduled and the points table reset.
In the final, Rangpur Riders defeated Dhaka Dynamites to win their first BPL title. Chris Gayle was named Man of the Match and Player of the Series. He was the tournament’s leading run-scorer, with two incredible centuries—146* off 69 balls and 126 off 51 balls—totaling 485 runs. Shakib Al Hasan was the leading wicket-taker, claiming 22 wickets.
Dhaka Dynamites won the toss and chose to field. Chris Gayle hit a record 18 sixes, the most by any player in a T20 match, and his score of 146 was the highest in a BPL final and in BPL history. The partnership between Chris Gayle and Brendon McCullum, which totaled 201 runs for the second wicket, was the highest ever in BPL history. As a result, the Rangpur Riders secured the championship.
Final: Comilla Victorians vs. Dhaka Dynamites
Champions: Comilla Victorians
The season was initially scheduled to run from October 1 to November 16, 2018. However, due to security concerns surrounding the Bangladeshi general election in December 2018, the tournament was postponed to January 2019. This season marked the first time the Decision Review System (DRS) was used in the BPL.
In the final match, the Comilla Victorians defeated Dhaka Dynamites by 17 runs, claiming their second BPL title. Tamim Iqbal was named Man of the Match for his outstanding 141 not out. Rilee Rossouw was the tournament’s leading run-scorer with 558 runs. At the same time, Shakib Al Hasan took the most wickets, with 22, and earned the Player of the Tournament award.
Final: Rajshahi Royals vs. Khulna Tigers
Champions: Rajshahi Royals
In September 2019, BCB President Nazmul Hasan Papon announced significant changes for the 2019-20 BPL season. The BCB decided to eliminate all franchises and completely controlled the tournament, renaming it the Bangabandhu BPL T20 2019-20 in honor of Sheikh Mujibur Rahman’s birth centenary.
In the final match, Rajshahi Royals defeated Khulna Tigers by 21 runs to claim their first BPL title. The Royals’ captain, Andre Russell, was named Man of the Match for the final and Player of the Tournament for his outstanding all-round performances and leadership.
Final: Comilla Victorians vs. Barishal
Champions: Comilla Victorians
The 2021–22 BPL season was initially set to begin in March 2021 but was postponed and rescheduled to January 21 to February 18, 2022. In December 2021, it was announced that Rangpur Rangers and the defending champions Rajshahi Royals would not participate. A new franchise from Barisal was introduced, and Comilla Victorians returned after a year’s absence. The Dhaka franchise changed ownership from Rupa Steel & Marn Group to the Minister Group just before the players’ draft. Due to technical issues, the DRS system was not used this season. Although spectators were initially allowed, the rise of Omicron led to matches being played behind closed doors.
The top two teams, Fortune Barishal and Comilla Victorians reached the final. Comilla Victorians won their third title by defending 151 runs in a thrilling 1-run victory. Sunil Narine was named Player of the Final for his all-round performance. Shakib Al Hasan, captain of the runners-up Fortune Barishal, was awarded Player of the Tournament for scoring 284 runs and taking 16 wickets throughout the season.
Final: Comilla Victorians vs. Sylhet Strikers
Champions: Comilla Victorians
The ninth season of the BPL was scheduled from January 6 to February 16, 2023. The BCB decided to expand the number of teams to seven and sell franchise rights for three years starting this season.
In September 2022, the BCB announced the franchise owners, with five of the previous six franchises retaining their teams and Rangpur Riders returning after a two-season absence. The fixtures were released on December 24, 2022, featuring two matches per day during the group stage and reserve days for all knockout games.
In the final, the Comilla Victorians defeated Sylhet Strikers by 7 wickets to secure their fourth title and second consecutive championship.
Final: Comilla Victorians vs. Fortune Barishal
Winner: Fortune Barishal (1st Title)
This was the third time Comilla Victorians and Fortune Barishal had faced each other in a BPL final, with Comilla having won the previous two finals, in 2015 and 2022, on the last ball.
The 2023 season was among the most exciting in BPL history, featuring three venues and seven teams. Fortune Barishal had a powerful batting lineup with several national team players. At the same time, Rangpur Riders, led by Shakib Al Hasan, also performed strongly. The final was thrilling, with Fortune Barishal overcoming both table toppers to claim their first title.
The season saw excellent crowd engagement and spectacular fireworks and set a record for the highest revenue in BPL history.
Top Performers:
The Bangladesh Premier League (BPL) is a collective association funded and managed by its member teams. Revenue from television rights, licensing agreements, sponsorships, ticket sales, and other sources is shared between the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) and the franchises. The league is overseen by a Governing Council (GC), whose members are appointed by the BCB.
As of the 2018–19 season, the BPL features seven franchises. Each team plays every other team twice in a round-robin format. The top four teams advance to the playoffs, which leads to the championship match, where the league winner is determined.
Abahani Limited is a critical team in the Bangladesh Premier League (BPL), joining the league in its inaugural 2012 season. Renowned for their cricketing solid tradition, they have consistently been a competitive force, featuring a mix of seasoned and emerging talent. In recent seasons, Abahani Limited has frequently finished among the top teams, reflecting their solid performances and strategic gameplay. With a strong fan base and a track record of impressive showings, they are a significant contender in the BPL, striving to win their first title.
Comilla Victorians joined the Bangladesh Premier League (BPL) in 2015. Since then, they have become one of the league’s most successful teams, winning the BPL title in 2015, 2019, and 2022. Known for their exciting play and strong team spirit, they often finish near the top of the standings. With their impressive track record and loyal fans, Comilla Victorians continue to be a significant contender in the BPL, and they are looking to add more titles to their achievements.
Dhaka Dominators entered the Bangladesh Premier League (BPL) in the 2022 season. Though a new team, they quickly made an impact with strong performances. Known for their solid lineup and strategic play, they have shown promise early on. While still finding their footing, they’ve already become serious contenders. With a growing fan base and a focus on building a solid team, Dhaka Dominators aim to compete for the title in future seasons.
Fortune Barishal joined the Bangladesh Premier League (BPL) in 2012, debuting in the league’s inaugural year. Over the years, they have established themselves as a strong competitor, known for their solid performances and strong batting lineup. Fortune Barishal has frequently been among the top teams, showcasing their ability to compete at a high level. They have been imposing recently, finishing as runners-up in the 2020 and 2022 seasons. With a committed fan base and a reputation for being a formidable team, Fortune Barishal remains a significant player in the BPL, striving for their first title.
Khulna Tigers joined the Bangladesh Premier League (BPL) in 2012 as one of the original teams. They are known for their competitive spirit and strong performances. The Tigers have had standout moments, including reaching the final in 2015 and consistently being among the top teams in various seasons. Although they face tough competition, the Khulna Tigers have built a solid reputation. They are determined to win their first BPL title in the future.
Rangpur Riders joined the Bangladesh Premier League (BPL) in its first season in 2012. They soon proved themselves as a strong team and won the BPL title in the 2017-18 season. Known for their aggressive play and standout performances, the Riders have consistently been a top contender in the league. They are well-regarded for their solid results and have a loyal fan base. Rangpur Riders remain a significant team in the BPL and are looking to win more titles.
Sylhet Strikers joined the Bangladesh Premier League (BPL) in 2012, the league’s first season. They are known for their competitive spirit and have made a strong impact with consistent performances. The Strikers have frequently been among the top teams, showcasing their dynamic play and earning a solid reputation in the league. With a growing fan base and a commitment to excellence, Sylhet Strikers are a significant contender in the BPL, aiming to win their first title.
Katarzyna Nowak is a seasoned writer with over five years of experience in editorial content, news reporting, and cricket sportsbook app reviews. As an author for The Wicket Insider, she combines her deep understanding of the sports betting industry with a passion for cricket, delivering insightful and accurate content that keeps readers informed and engaged.
Stay Tuned With Updates
