Two BPL matches were postponed following the death of former Bangladeshi PM Khaleda Zia: Former Bangladeshi Prime Minister Khaleda Zia has passed away. The entire country is plunged into deep mourning following this news. The former PM's death has also affected the schedule of the Bangladesh Premier League.
The Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) has decided to cancel both Bangladesh Premier League (BPL) matches scheduled for December 30th following the death of former Prime Minister Khaleda Zia. Khaleda Zia passed away at 6:00 AM local time on December 30th.
This major news came just hours before the first match of the day, between the Sylhet Titans and Chattogram Royals, was scheduled to begin at the Sylhet International Cricket Stadium. The second match of the day was to be played between the Dhaka Capitals and Rangpur Riders. Both matches have now been cancelled.
The Board Remembers Khaleda Zia:
The Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) stated in an official statement that it gratefully remembers Begum Khaleda Zia's continuous blessings and good wishes for the advancement of cricket in the country. During her tenure as Prime Minister, she provided tremendous support for the development of cricket in Bangladesh, leading to improvements in cricket infrastructure and the expansion of the sport throughout the country. The Board further added that her vision and encouragement played a crucial role in laying the foundation for the success that Bangladesh cricket enjoys today.
Respecting the period of national mourning, the BCB also clarified that all scheduled BPL matches for today have been canceled in observance of the mourning period and in honor of Begum Khaleda Zia's legacy. The rescheduled dates for these matches will be announced soon.
Khaleda Zia, who served as Prime Minister twice:
It is noteworthy that Khaleda Zia served as the Prime Minister of Bangladesh twice, from 1991 to 1996 and again from 2001 to 2006. She was the first female Prime Minister of Bangladesh. She was the wife of former President Ziaur Rahman and has been the chairperson and leader of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) since 1984. This party was founded by Ziaur Rahman himself.
When will the BPL matches resume?
The 2025–26 BPL season began on December 26, and six matches have been played so far. The tournament schedule already includes some breaks, so the cancellation of these matches is unlikely to significantly impact the schedule. The tournament final will be played on January 23.
