Bangladesh Cricket Board Calls Off BPL Opening Ceremony Amid Security Worries
BPL opening ceremony postponed: Due to the national elections in Bangladesh and security concerns, the BCB has cancelled the opening ceremony scheduled for December 24th in Dhaka, following government advice. However, the tournament will commence in Sylhet on December 26th as previously scheduled.
Bangladesh Cricket Board President Aminul Islam has said that the decision to cancel the opening ceremony of the Bangladesh Premier League, BPL, has been made by the board owing to security reasons. Although the Governing Council of Bangladesh Cricket Board was reported to have said that the competition will begin in Sylhet on 26th December, it was to happen with an opening ceremony that was scheduled for 24th December in Dhaka. Aminul Islam said after a discussion with the newly appointed sports advisor, Asif Nazrul, there is no plan for an opening ceremony.
According to a Cricbuzz report, senior government officials wanted to reschedule the opening ceremony and proposed holding it four days after the original date. However, the board stated that such a change would not be possible at this stage, as it could impact the availability of foreign players for the tournament. Political turmoil in the country has also intensified recently, with national elections scheduled for February 12, 2026.
Aminul told reporters at an event that they would not be holding the opening ceremony because the current situation in the country and security are a major factor. "Our job is to ensure that cricket matches go smoothly. Therefore, we are paying attention to everything. But at this time, we are focusing more on cricket," he said.
Want to get your story featured as above? click here!
Want to get your story featured as above? click here!
Hours after the announcement, the board's governing council also made a similar statement, stating that the decision to postpone the opening ceremony was made after consulting the government. The BPL Governing Council stated in a press release that in line with the current advisory from the Bangladesh government on large gatherings and with the aim of ensuring maximum safety for all concerned, the Board has decided not to hold any pre-event functions or opening ceremonies involving large crowds.
It further stated that the Bangladesh Premier League T20 Governing Council reaffirms its commitment to organising an exciting and competitive 12th edition of the tournament, scheduled to begin in Sylhet on December 26, 2025. As preparations progress, the Governing Council is focused on ensuring a safe and well-managed environment for players, spectators, match officials and all stakeholders involved in the competition.
