Bangladesh’s domestic circuit was supposed to be in full flow right now with the Dhaka Premier Division Cricket League. Instead, Dhaka’s club cricket has come to a standstill, as a dispute between club officials and the Bangladesh Cricket Board over alleged irregularities in the board’s recent election continues to escalate. A total of 42 clubs, including traditional powerhouses Abahani and Mohammedan, have boycotted all tournaments under the BCB and the CCDM.
With the season nearing its closing phase, the Third Division Cricket League is yet to get underway. The Second Division League was held recently, but several prominent clubs opted out. The fate of the Dhaka Premier League remains uncertain. Given the current standoff between the board and the clubs, it is increasingly clear that the DPL is unlikely to take the field any time soon.
This impasse has triggered frustration and disappointment among the cricketers. Take Rony Talukdar for example. The former Bangladesh international, who last played for the national team in 2023, expressed his frustration on Facebook, writing, “This is the time when we should have been playing the Dhaka Premier League.” He later posted a video with the caption, “No cricket, so playing football.”
Rony’s sentiment reflects a wider mood within the circuit. Even players currently in the national setup are feeling the impact. Speaking to Times of Bangladesh on condition of anonymity, one cricketer said, “Honestly, it feels ridiculous. How can a country like ours not stage its premier domestic league? We are scheduled to play ODI cricket in 2027, right? If preparation does not start now, what will we do then?”
Shamim Hossain Patowary highlighted the broader implications, saying, “The loss is not just for national team players. For those outside the national setup, this is a massive financial setback. It affects everyone. This situation is not good for Bangladesh cricket. These issues need to be resolved as quickly as possible.”
Another regular face in domestic cricket, who has represented Bangladesh in two international matches, echoed similar concerns. Speaking anonymously, he said, “What can we possibly do? Nothing is in our control. It is utterly disappointing, that is all I can say for now.”
The Cricketers’ Welfare Association of Bangladesh has also voiced its concern over the ongoing deadlock. In a statement issued on Sunday following the return of BCB president Aminul Islam Bulbul, the organization urged immediate steps to get the leagues underway. The letter, signed by president Mohammad Mithun.
“We are now in the final phase of the domestic season, yet Dhaka’s league structure remains largely inactive. There are no visible preparations for the Third Division League. A significant number of clubs did not participate in the Second Division League. We have not seen any initiative from the board regarding the affected cricketers or any alternative arrangements for them. There is also no visible discussion or planning around starting the Dhaka Premier League. Overall, the current state of domestic cricket is deeply frustrating for the players.
When asked about cricketers’ frustration over missing out on the DPL, vice president Faruque Ahmed told reporters on Monday, “The cricket board’s role is to ensure that local, domestic, and international cricket runs smoothly. But it is only one part of the system. Clubs and players are equally critical, and the board’s role is to facilitate.”
He added that the reason for clubs’ unwillingness to participate is unclear. “Why some clubs choose not to participate remains uncertain, though internal politics may play a role. If this trend continues, it could hinder the growth of cricket in the country. Ultimately, participation is the responsibility of the clubs, and their engagement benefits the entire system,” Faruque said.
