Dhaka Premier League Set for Structural Overhaul

The 2025–26 season of the Dhaka Premier Division Cricket League is scheduled to begin on 4 May and conclude on 11 June, featuring a total of 69 matches across six designated venues in Dhaka. The Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) has confirmed that the full fixture list will be released separately in due course.

This season marks a significant restructuring of Bangladesh’s premier domestic one-day competition, aimed at enhancing competitiveness, improving organisation, and providing greater opportunities for local cricketers. One of the most notable changes is the removal of the Super League stage. Instead, the tournament will be played entirely in a single round-robin league format, ensuring that all participating teams face each other under equal conditions.

However, the relegation mechanism has been retained after initial consideration of its removal. Following discussions with participating clubs and stakeholders, the BCB reinstated the relegation league to preserve competitive balance and maintain the significance of end-of-season standings. Once the league phase concludes, the bottom-ranked teams will compete in a separate relegation round to determine demotion to the lower division.

In total, the league phase will consist of 66 matches, while an additional three matches will be played in the relegation stage. These fixtures are expected to carry considerable weight, as they will directly determine the future status of the teams involved.

Another important feature of this season is the introduction of improved operational and player welfare measures. Teams will now receive structured meal provisions on match days, a step intended to support player fitness and performance levels throughout the demanding schedule. Additionally, reserve days have been allocated for each fixture, ensuring that matches disrupted by weather or unforeseen circumstances can be completed without affecting the integrity of the competition.

A major shift this season is the complete exclusion of foreign players. The decision ensures that the tournament will be contested solely by domestic cricketers, providing an expanded platform for local talent to perform at a high level. Officials believe this will not only strengthen the domestic player pool but also offer greater opportunities for emerging athletes to establish themselves.

Matches will be held across six venues in Dhaka, with multiple games scheduled daily to accommodate the tight calendar. Potential venues include the Bashundhara Sports Complex, Bangladesh Krira Shikkha Protisthan (BKSP), and several dedicated cricket grounds in the capital. The final list of venues and the detailed fixture schedule will be published by the BCB shortly.

Tournament Overview

CategoryDetails
Season2025–26
Start Date4 May
End Date11 June
Total Matches69
League Phase66 matches
Relegation Matches3 matches
Venues6
Foreign PlayersNot permitted
Super League StageNot included

Overall, the revised structure signals a clear shift towards a more streamlined and domestically focused competition. With relegation reinstated and foreign players excluded, the stakes for each match are expected to rise significantly, making this season one of the most closely contested editions in recent years.

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