Aminul Islam, president of the BCB, announced on Wednesday, December 17, that the board had decided to postpone the Bangladesh Premier League (BPL) opening ceremony because of security concerns.
The BPL Governing Council had previously declared that the opening ceremony would take place in Dhaka on December 24 and that the competition will start in Sylhet on December 26. However, after speaking with recently hired sports consultant Asif Nazrul, Aminul verified that there are no longer any plans to hold an opening ceremony.
Senior government officials had proposed changing the opening ceremony, proposing to place it four days later than the scheduled date, according to Cricbuzz. However, because it would affect the availability of foreign players for the competition, the BCB stated that such a modification would not be possible at this time. In addition to the recent security worries, the decision is made in the midst of a volatile political environment in the nation, with national elections set for February 12, 2026.
“We won’t hold an opening ceremony because security and the nation’s general state are major considerations. Our responsibility is to ensure the smooth operation of the cricket matches. We are therefore keeping an eye on every angle. However, we are currently focussing more on cricket,” Aminul told reporters during a private session, as reported by Cricbuzz.
Similar opinions were expressed by the BPL Governing Council, which stated hours after the announcement that the government’s guidance had been followed in delaying the inauguration ceremony.
“The BPL Governing Council has made the decision to forgo hosting any pre-event events or opening ceremonies that involve sizable audiences in accordance with the Bangladesh Government’s current recommendations about mass gatherings, with the goal of guaranteeing the highest level of safety for all parties involved.
The 12th edition of the Bangladesh Premier League (BPL) T20, which is set to start in Sylhet on December 26, 2025, will be thrilling and competitive, according to a press statement from the BPL Governing Council.
“The Governing Council is committed to providing a safe and well-run environment for players, spectators, match officials, and all parties engaged in the competition as preparations move forward. The planning approach is still centred on operational readiness for all participants. The BPL Governing Council and the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) are eager to welcome spectators to the stadiums and provide a competition that accurately captures the essence, thrill, and quality of the Bangladesh Premier League T20 2026,” the statement continued.
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