While 20 other nations gear up for the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup, Bangladesh will watch from the sidelines after the national team pulled out of the tournament, citing security concerns in India following a government directive. To keep the players match-ready, the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) has announced a new three-team T20 competition, the ODOMMO Bangladesh T20 Cup 2026.
As part of the preparations, a fitness camp for the selected players will commence on 1 February, with the tournament scheduled to start on 5 February at the Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium in Dhaka. The triangular T20 event will feature the national squad, the ‘A’ team, and the High Performance (HP) Unit, giving all participants valuable game time ahead of a busy season.
The ODOMMO Bangladesh T20 Cup 2026 promises high-intensity cricket with three competitive teams: Dhumketu XI, led by Bangladesh T20 captain Litton Das; Durbar XI, captained by Najmul Hossain Shanto; and Duronto XI, under the leadership of Akbar Ali. Each team will be supported by experienced coaching panels. Dhumketu XI’s coaches are Mohammad Salauddin and Mohammad Ashraful, Durbar XI is guided by Mizanur Rahman Babul and Tushar Imran, while Duronto XI will be led by Hannan Sarkar and Rajin Saleh Alam.
The tournament introduces an Impact Player concept, adding a tactical edge to each match. Matches will be held from 5 to 7 February, with the final scheduled for 9 February. To enhance the match-day experience, cultural programmes will be staged each evening from 4pm, followed by cricket action at 6pm. The total prize money and fees for the tournament amount to 2.5 crore Taka.
Youth and Sports Secretary Mahbub Ul Alam highlighted the initiative as a crucial step to keep players active, match-fit, and financially compensated after Bangladesh’s withdrawal from the T20 World Cup. “The financial aspect is obviously involved, but our priority is security,” he said. “The adviser has already held discussions with the BCB. We have decided to host a tournament at home, and the details will be shared soon by the BCB president.”
The ODOMMO Bangladesh T20 Cup comes ahead of a packed international calendar for Bangladesh, including two white-ball series against Pakistan in March, 21 ODIs as part of the ODI Super League, and preparations for the next ODI World Cup.
