BCB postpones BPL opening ceremony over security concerns

Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) president Aminul Islam said on Wednesday that the board has decided to postpone the opening ceremony of the Bangladesh Premier League (BPL) due to security concerns.

The BPL Governing Council had earlier announced the tournament would begin on December 26 in Sylhet, following an opening ceremony scheduled for December 24 in Dhaka.

However, Aminul said there are now no plans to hold an opening ceremony following a meeting with newly appointed sports adviser Asif Nazrul.

Senior government officials had proposed rescheduling the ceremony four days later, but the board conveyed such a change was not feasible, as it could affect the availability of overseas players.

The political situation in the country has intensified with national elections approaching on February 12, 2026.

"We won't do an opening ceremony because the overall situation of the country plus security is a big factor here," Aminul told reporters. "Our job is to make sure the cricket matches run well. So, we are keeping focus on all sides. But at this moment, we are paying more attention to cricket."

Hours after the announcement, the BPL Governing Council stated the decision was taken following advice from the government.

"Aligned with the current advice from the Bangladesh Government on mass gatherings, and with the objective of ensuring maximum protection for everyone concerned, the BPL Governing Council has decided not to organize any pre-event function or opening ceremony involving large crowds," the council said in a press release.

"The Governing Council of the Bangladesh Premier League (BPL) T20 has reaffirmed its commitment to delivering an exciting and competitive 12th edition of the tournament, scheduled to commence on 26 December 2025 in Sylhet," it added.

"The Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) and the BPL Governing Council look forward to welcoming fans to the stadiums and delivering a tournament that truly reflects the spirit, excitement, and excellence of the Bangladesh Premier League T20 2026."