The Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) has postponed both Bangladesh Premier League (BPL) matches set for Tuesday, 30 December, after the death of former prime minister Khaleda Zia early that morning.
Zia, who held office from 1991-96 and again from 2001-06, died at around 6 am local time. She was the country’s first female prime minister and had led the Bangladesh Nationalist Party since 1984. News of her passing reached Sylhet only a couple of hours before the scheduled toss for Sylhet Titans v Chattogram Royals at the Sylhet International Cricket Stadium. Later in the day Dhaka Capitals were meant to play Rangpur Riders.
Explaining the decision, the board released a short statement: “The BCB recalls with gratitude her [Zia’s] constant blessings and good wishes for the progress of cricket in this country. 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.”
The statement went on: “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.”
This season’s BPL began on 26 December, so the postponement comes after just three completed match-days. With sizeable gaps already built into the calendar, officials believe the overall timetable can absorb a one-day delay without major disruption. An updated fixture list is expected soon.
Cricket-wise the deferral offers teams an unexpected pause. Sylhet, unbeaten after two outings, will have to wait to extend their charge, while Dhaka’s bowlers, after conceding heavily in their opener, gain a little extra time to regroup. Fans, naturally, will focus first on the national period of mourning, yet the conversation will quickly turn to when—rather than whether—these two matches fit back in.
For the moment players, coaches and supporters share a simple message of respect, acknowledging Zia’s role in the early days of Bangladesh’s rise in the sport.
