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Bangladesh Premier League match postponed as players stage boycott

Bangladesh Premier League

DHAKA: Today’s Bangladesh Premier League (BPL) match between Chattogram Royals and Noakhali Express in Mirpur, Dhaka, was called off after players staged a boycott, failing to appear at the venue for the toss.

The boycott comes in response to a statement by Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) Director Nazmul Islam, which prompted players to threaten a halt to all cricketing activities.

Following the statement, Bangladeshi cricketers announced they would boycott matches across all formats unless Nazmul Islam resigned from his position. The players’ action has disrupted today’s fixture and raised concerns over the smooth conduct of the ongoing BPL tournament.

The Bangladesh Cricket Board has yet to issue a detailed response regarding the players’ demands and the rescheduling of the postponed match.

On the other hand, Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) has removed Director Nazmul Islam from his position following controversial remarks that led to a player boycott of cricket activities, including today’s Bangladesh Premier League (BPL) match.

Nazmul Islam, who served as Chairman of the BCB Finance Committee, had made statements criticizing the Board’s participation in the ICC World Cup, claiming that the Board gained little financially while players would lose match fees if Bangladesh skipped tournaments. His remarks sparked outrage among cricketers, who subsequently threatened to boycott all formats of cricket until his resignation.

In an official statement, the BCB said that after reviewing the recent developments, the Board’s President decided to release Nazmul Islam in the best interest of the sport. The decision was made in accordance with the BCB constitution, and the Finance Committee will now be chaired temporarily by the BCB President.

The Board expressed confidence that Bangladeshi cricketers will continue to play professionally and with dedication, ensuring the smooth conduct of the BPL and other cricketing activities.

Earlier, the player boycott had forced the postponement of today’s BPL match between Chattogram Royals and Noakhali Express, highlighting the urgency of resolving the crisis.

Hasan Nawaz’s brilliant performance seals victory on final ball

Hasan Nawaz

Sylhet: In the 19th match of the Bangladesh Premier League (BPL) 2025–26, Chattogram Royals defeated Rajshahi Warriors by two wickets in a nail-biting finish, thanks to a composed innings by Hasan Nawaz.

The match was played, where Rajshahi Warriors, batting first, struggled against disciplined bowling and were restricted to 128 for 9 in their allotted 20 overs. The Royals’ bowlers applied pressure from the outset, never allowing the Warriors’ batting lineup to settle.

No Rajshahi batter managed to cross the 20-run mark. Mohammad Wasim was the top scorer with 19 runs off 14 balls, including one four and two sixes.

For Chattogram Royals, Aamer Jamal delivered an impressive bowling spell, picking up 3 wickets for 23 runs in his four overs. Tanvir Islam and Shariful Islam claimed two wickets each, while Mehdi Hasan and Hasan Nawaz took one wicket apiece.

Chasing the modest target, the Royals reached the finish line on the final ball of the match, scoring 129 for 8 to seal a dramatic victory. Hasan Nawaz anchored the chase with an unbeaten 35 off 36 deliveries, playing a crucial role under pressure.

Captain Mehdi Hasan contributed 28 runs off 25 balls, including three fours and a six, while Asif Ali added 27 runs from 25 balls, featuring three boundaries and one six.

For Rajshahi Warriors, Fernando was the standout bowler, claiming 3 wickets for 18 runs in his four overs, but his efforts were not enough to prevent a narrow defeat.

The win strengthens Chattogram Royals’ position in the tournament, while Rajshahi Warriors were left to rue missed opportunities in a closely contested match.