BCB dismisses possibility of rebel league

A Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) official on Tuesday dismissed the possibility of a rebel cricket league in the country. The speculation arose after 44 clubs decided not to participate in any league organized by the board, alleging the current elected board is illegal.

On Tuesday, the Cricket Committee of Dhaka Metropolis (CCDM) announced the postponement of the Dhaka First Division Cricket League 2025-26 for two days. This followed eight clubs failing to participate in their matches, resulting in walkovers.

The matches, initially scheduled for 17 and 18 December, have been shifted to start from 19 December. The CCDM is expected to meet with the 12 remaining clubs today. Originally, 20 clubs were participating.

The eight clubs that did not participate are:

• Partex Sporting Club
• Gazi Tyres Cricket Academy
• Amber Sporting Club
• Kalabagan Krira Chakra
• Khelaghar Samaj Kallyan Samity
• Surjotorun Club
• Kakrail Boys Club
• Orient Sporting Club

"Considering the changed circumstances, the DFDCL Technical Committee has decided that the matches scheduled for the next round on 17 and 18 December 2025 will be postponed," the BCB stated.

According to league rules, teams receiving walkovers are considered non-participating and are relegated to the Dhaka 2nd Division Cricket League effective next season. Consequently, no relegation league will be held this season.

These eight clubs are part of the 44 protesting clubs refusing to join BCB-backed tournaments. Officials from these clubs have recently expressed readiness to organize their own separate league.

BCB vice-president Faruque Ahmed dismissed the feasibility of an independently run league, stressing the importance of recognized governing bodies.

"If they organize it by themselves then there is actually no need for the cricket board," Faruque told reporters. "You know then there would be no need for the Bangladesh Cricket Board, and no need for the ICC either… So for any sport there is a governing body. That governing body for Bangladesh's cricket is the Bangladesh Cricket Board."

CCDM chairman Adnan Rahman Dipon echoed these sentiments, questioning the legitimacy of any league outside the BCB's framework.

"I think many people are living in a fool's paradise who are thinking of organizing a rebel cricket league," said Adnan. "If the clubs want to organise a separate league on their own, who will the ICC approve – the Board's league or theirs?"

"They are all registered players under the board. Now, if they want to organize a rebel league, that's their personal matter. But the ICC will not approve it, and the Bangladesh Cricket Board will not approve it either. So it is not a legal league," he added.