The long-standing uncertainty surrounding the upcoming season of the Bangladesh Premier League (BPL) has finally come to an end, as the BPL Governing Council has officially released the revised schedule, venue list, player draft date, and confirmed team numbers. For weeks, debates and speculation continued across cricketing circles as franchises, players and passionate supporters awaited clarity. That anticipation concludes with a comprehensive announcement that resets the entire structure of BPL 12.
More than 500 overseas cricketers submitted their names for the upcoming season. However, after a round of evaluations and scrutiny, the final list has been narrowed down to 250 foreign players. In addition, 158 local Bangladeshi cricketers have been included in the final grouping, which will form the player pool for the official draft. The draft is scheduled for 30 November at 3pm.
The original schedule had placed the tournament start date at 19 December, with the final planned for 16 January. However, the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) has revised the calendar, citing multiple operational and logistic adjustments. As per the new arrangement, BPL 12 will commence on 26 December and conclude on 23 January. This revised timeline is expected to provide teams with additional preparation time while ensuring that the tournament aligns smoothly with the international cricket calendar.
The opening ceremony is set for 24 December, which BCB officials say will be conducted with special arrangements to mark the arrival of the new season. The opening match will be held at the Sylhet International Cricket Stadium on 26 December, marking the beginning of the first phase of fixtures. Following the Sylhet leg, the competition will shift to Chattogram, where several high-profile and fan-favourite matches are expected to take place. The final leg of the tournament, including the playoffs, qualifiers and the grand finale, will take place in Dhaka.
In terms of team composition, the BCB had initially approved a five-team competition. However, in a late development, Noakhali Express has been added as the sixth team. This brings the total number of participating teams to six: Rangpur Riders, Dhaka Capitals, Sylhet Titans, Chattogram Royals, Rajshahi Warriors and Noakhali Express.
The multi-venue format covering Sylhet, Chattogram and Dhaka is expected to enhance spectator engagement and deliver a more balanced cricketing experience across Bangladesh. Sylhet offers a unique blend of weather conditions, while Chattogram is famed for its fast pitches and energetic crowds. Dhaka, the traditional cricketing hub, remains the home for the most crucial matches.
With the schedule now finalised and teams preparing for the draft, excitement surrounding BPL 12 has surged once again. Cricket analysts believe the addition of a new team, the revised timeline and the broader player pool have collectively elevated the competitive standard of the tournament.