The much-anticipated 11th edition of the Bangladesh Premier League (BPL) is set to kick off at the Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium Monday, marking the start of an exciting chapter in Bangladesh’s premier T20 cricket tournament.
The opening day will see defending champions Fortune Barishal take on newcomers Durbar Rajshahi in the tournament opener at noon, while Rangpur Riders will face Dhaka Capitals in the evening match.
This year’s BPL matches will be hosted across three iconic venues – Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium in Mirpur, Sylhet International Cricket Stadium in Sylhet and Zahur Ahmed Chowdhury Stadium in Chattogram.
Seven teams will compete in a round-robin format during the group stage, facing each other twice over four phases.
The first eight matches will take place in Dhaka until 3 January before teams travel to Sylhet for the second phase. The third phase will be held in Chattogram with the fourth and final phase of group stage matches returning to Dhaka. Off the field, this year’s BPL has already generated significant excitement with its official theme, “Esho Desh Bodlai, Prithibi Bodlai,” (Let’s change the country, change the world). The theme reflects the spirit of the July uprising, symbolising a transformative and dynamic Bangladesh.
Adding to the anticipation, the tournament’s theme song, ‘Elo BPL,’ has been composed by renowned Bangladeshi singer Muza, featuring contributions from Raef al Hasan Rafa and rapper Hannan Hossain Shimul.
Notably, two lines of the song were penned by the Chief Adviser Prof Muhammad Yunus, further connecting the tournament to the country’s cultural and social evolution.
In the lead-up to the tournament, musical festivals were organised in Dhaka, Sylhet and Chattogram, drawing fans from all over the country and setting the stage for a vibrant celebration of cricket and culture.
For the first time in the tournament’s history, BPL has introduced an official mascot, Dana 36. The peace-loving pigeon, with its 36 feathers, symbolises July 36 of Bangladesh, a reference to the nation’s unique timeline and aspirations for change.
With its dynamic format, cultural celebrations, and innovative elements, the 11th edition of the BPL promises to be a spectacle that unites the nation and showcases its evolving identity.
Bd-pratidin English/Tanvir Raihan
