The Bangladesh Cricket Board (PCB) has called off two Bangladesh Premier League (BPL) matches scheduled for Tuesday, December 30 following the death of former Prime Minister Khaleda Zia.
The decision was announced shortly after the news of Zia’s death broke and hours before the toss of the first match between Sylhet Titans and Chattogram Royals at the Sylhet International Cricket Stadium.
Khaleda Zia, who died at 6:00 am local time on Tuesday, served two terms as the Prime Minister of Bangladesh from 1991 to 1996 and again from 2001 to 2006.
She is the country’s first woman prime minister and widow of former president Ziaur Rahman. Zia had led the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) founded by her husband since 1984 as its president.
In a statement, the PCB paid tribute to his contributions to the game.
“PCB gratefully remembers his constant blessings and good wishes for the development of cricket in this country,” the statement said.
“During his tenure as Prime Minister, he provided excellent support to the development of cricket in Bangladesh, making significant contributions to improvements in cricket infrastructure and the growth of the game across the country.”
“In respect of the nation’s mourning and in honor of Begum Khaleda Zia’s legacy, BCB announces that today’s Bangladesh Premier League matches have been canceled and will be rescheduled. More details about the revised matches will be communicated in due course,” it added.
The PBL 2025–26 season started on 26 December and three match days have already been completed. The second match of the day will feature Dhaka Capitals and Rangpur Riders.
Given the gaps between match days, the postponement will not have a major impact on the match schedule.
Meanwhile, the Dhaka Metropolis Cricket Committee (CCDM) has postponed all nine matches of the Dhaka First Division Cricket League from December 30 to January 1.
“The postponed matches will be rescheduled and the revised itinerary will be released in due course,” CCDM said.
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