The 12th edition of the Bangladesh Premier League (BPL) will begin on 19 December, with the final scheduled for 16 January, following the players’ draft on 17 November, the BPL governing council has confirmed. The five-team tournament has been planned with the upcoming T20 World Cup in mind.
Yet, before the competition begins, much of the discussion within Bangladesh cricket has focused on players suspected of involvement in match-fixing during the previous edition. Questions remain over whether those under investigation will be allowed to take part this year.
Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) president Aminul Islam Bulbul said the board has remained uninvolved in the matter, insisting that due process is being followed. “We have not moved an inch,” Bulbul said on Monday. “There has been no suppression or disappearance of any report. Whatever outcome, punishment, or exemption is due, they will decide. A committee is working on it. Since the process is ongoing, I do not want to say anything more. I cannot reveal the names, but they are working.”
On the issue surrounding cricketer Jahanara Alam, Bulbul reiterated the BCB’s commitment to its zero-tolerance policy. “We remain within the framework of zero tolerance,” he said. “The matter might fall within that time frame. We are not influencing those who are working on it.”
Bulbul also addressed the absence of female directors within the board, saying that increasing women’s representation in leadership roles remains a priority. “Women’s cricket has always felt neglected,” he said. “When I became president on the 7th, I said in the press conference that we have no female directors, no women in the women’s wing. We have targets. I do not have the authority to change the constitution, but I would be very happy if we could bring in some women directors. The courses we will conduct will focus on gender equality.”
