The Bangladesh Premier League schedule was temporarily disrupted on Tuesday morning after the death of former prime minister Khaleda Zia, prompting the Bangladesh Cricket Board to officially cancel the day’s two matches and reschedule them for January 4. The decision came swiftly, just hours before play was due to begin, and reflected a broader pause across the country as Bangladesh entered a period of national mourning.
The two fixtures affected were Sylhet Titans vs Chattogram Royals and Dhaka Capitals vs Rangpur Riders, both slated to be played at the Sylhet International Cricket Stadium. The announcement was made shortly after confirmation of Zia’s passing emerged early in the morning, with the board acting in line with the government’s declaration of a general holiday.
BCB pays tribute to Khaleda Zia’s role in cricket
Beyond the scheduling implications, the BCB used its statement to acknowledge Khaleda Zia’s long-standing influence on the development of cricket in Bangladesh. The board noted that “The BCB recalls with gratitude her [Zia’s] constant blessings and good wishes for the progress of cricket in this country,” highlighting her connection to the sport beyond politics.
That tribute continued with a reflection on her time in office, with the board adding, “During her tenure as Prime Minister, she provided outstanding support for the development of cricket in Bangladesh, significantly contributing to improvements in cricket infrastructure and the sport’s growth nationwide. Her vision and encouragement helped pave the way for many of the advancements the game enjoys today.”
Formally announcing the cancellations, the BCB said, “In respect of the nation’s mourning and in honour of Begum Khaleda Zia’s legacy, the BCB announces that today’s scheduled Bangladesh Premier League matches have been cancelled and will be rescheduled. Further details on the revised fixtures will be communicated in due course.”
In respect of the nation’s mourning following the passing of Begum Khaleda Zia, today’s BPL T20 matches have been cancelled. Revised fixtures will be announced in due course.#BPL #BPL2026 #BCB #Cricket #T20 #Bangladesh pic.twitter.com/3Wh4cFXPSZ
— Bangladesh Cricket (@BCBtigers) December 30, 2025
Aminul Islam reflects on personal and institutional legacy
BCB president Aminul Islam also shared a personal tribute, underlining Zia’s impact on sport during his own playing career. He said, “On a personal note, I remember with gratitude the encouragement and support she extended to sport during my playing days. Her interest in cricket and her understanding of its role in uniting the country were genuine and sustained. Under her stewardship, cricket in Bangladesh benefited most notably through improvements in facilities and infrastructure that helped lay stronger foundations for the game across the country.”
Islam further linked the modernisation of Bangladesh cricket to her family’s involvement, adding, “Her legacy in cricket is also inseparable from the contribution of her late son, Arafat Rahman, whose vision and initiatives had a pioneering influence on Bangladesh cricket’s modernisation journey. The progress the game has made over the years owes much to that period of forward thinking and investment.”
Confirmation of death and national response
Khaleda Zia’s death was confirmed by the Bangladesh Nationalist Party in a statement shared on Facebook. The party said, “Khaleda Zia passed away at around 6:00 am, just after Fajr prayer,” confirming the timing of her passing.
The statement concluded with a message of mourning, adding, “We pray for the eternal peace of her soul and ask everyone to pray for her departed soul.”
Zia, Bangladesh’s first female prime minister, served two terms in office between 1991–96 and 2001–06 and remained a central figure in the country’s political and sporting history. Her death has prompted not only national reflection but also a temporary pause in Bangladesh’s domestic cricket calendar, with the BPL now set to resume its revised schedule in the coming days.
Matches moved, revised itinerary to follow
While the immediate focus was on canceling Tuesday’s games, the BCB later clarified how the remainder of the tournament would be managed. The two postponed matches have been rescheduled for January 4, ensuring minimal disruption to the overall season timeline.
Addressing future planning, the board stated that “The BPL Governing Council will issue a revised itinerary covering matches scheduled from 5 January 2026 onwards in due course,” the Bangladesh Cricket Board said in an official statement, indicating further clarity would be provided once the mourning period concludes.
The BCB also confirmed that no matches would be played on December 31, in accordance with the national holiday, while fixtures scheduled for January 1 and January 2 in Sylhet would proceed as planned.
