The Bangladesh Premier League (BPL) 2025-26 begins today on Dec 26 as it marks the beginning of a new era, with the tournament expanding and refreshing its identity through the addition of four new franchises.
Chattogram Royals, Noakhali Express, Sylhet Titans and Rajshahi Warriors have entered the competition, joining Dhaka Capitals and Rangpur Riders to form a six-team league for the upcoming season.
One of the standout features of this edition is the return of a full-scale player auction, held in November - the first such auction in 12 years. In addition to auction picks, franchises were also allowed to rope in players through direct signings in the build-up to the tournament. The league will be played in a double round-robin format, with each
team facing the others twice during the league stage. The top two teams will advance to Qualifier 1, while the sides finishing third and fourth will contest the Eliminator.
The tournament will consist of 34 matches spread across 28 days and staged across three venues. Sylhet will host the opening leg, with 12 matches scheduled from December 26 to January 2. The action then shifts to Chattogram for the second phase, featuring another 12 games between January 5 and 12. The final leg, including the playoffs and the final, will take place in Mirpur, which will host the remaining 10 matches. Qualifier 1 and the Eliminator are slated for January 19, followed by Qualifier 2 on January 21, with the final set for January 23.
Pakistani players once again form a strong contingent in the BPL, adding depth and international flair across multiple squads. Rajshahi Warriors boast a particularly strong presence, featuring experienced all-rounders Mohammad Nawaz and Hussain Talat, alongside Sahibzada Farhan and emerging talent Jahandad Khan. Rangpur Riders have assembled an impressive group that includes Faheem Ashraf, Iftikhar Ahmed, Khushdil Shah, Akif Javed, Muhammad Akhlaq, Khawaja Nafay and Sufiyan Muqeem.
Sylhet Titans will rely on the star power of Mohammad Amir and Saim Ayub, supported by Salman Irshad, while Chattogram Royals have brought in Kamran Ghulam and Mirza Tahir Baig. Dhaka Capitals feature Imad Wasim, Salman Mirza and Usman Khan, whereas Noakhali Express have signed Haider Ali, Ihsanullah Khan and Maaz Sadaqat.
The Pakistan Cricket Board has issued No Objection Certificates (NOCs) to several players, permitting their participation until January 23. However, availability remains a concern, as a number of these cricketers are expected to miss the latter stages of the tournament due to Pakistan's international commitments against Sri Lanka and Australia in January 2026.
Despite potential mid-season departures, the presence of Pakistani stars is set to significantly enhance the competitiveness and appeal of the league.
BPL 2025-26- List Of Pakistani Cricketers
Chattogram Royals: Kamran Ghulam, Mirza Tahir Baig
Dhaka Capitals: Imad Wasmim, Salman Mirza, Usman Khan
Noakhali Express: Haider Ali, Ilsanullah Khan, Maaz Sadaqat
Rajshahi Warriors: Hussain Talat, Jahandad Khan, Mohammad Nawaz, Sahibzada Farhan
Rangpur Riders: Akif Javed, Faheem Ashraf, Iftikhar Ahmed, Khawaja Nafay, Khusdil Shah, Muhammad Akhlaq, Sufiyan Muqueem
Sylhet Titans: Mohammad Amir, Saim Ayub, Salman Irshad
