The Bangladesh Premier League (BPL) is a professional Twenty20 cricket league in Bangladesh, organized by the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB). The 2025 season, officially known as the Dutch-Bangla Bank BPL T20 2025 due to sponsorship agreements, marked the league’s 11th edition. The tournament commenced on December 30, 2024, and concluded with the final on February 7, 2025.

Participating Teams and Their Performance

The 2025 BPL featured seven franchises:

1. Chittagong Kings: Coached by Shaun Tait and captained by Mohammad Mithun, the Kings reached the final but were defeated by Fortune Barishal, securing the runner-up position.
2. Dhaka Capitals: Under the guidance of coach Khaled Mahmud and leadership of Thisara Perera, the Capitals aimed to improve upon their previous season’s performance.
3. Durbar Rajshahi: Re-established for the 2025 season, with Ijaz Ahmed as coach and captains Anamul Haque and Taskin Ahmed sharing leadership duties, Rajshahi made a notable return to the league.
4. Fortune Barishal: Led by captain Tamim Iqbal and coach Mizanur Rahman Babul, Barishal clinched their second BPL title by defeating the Chittagong Kings in a thrilling final.
5. Khulna Tigers: Coached by Talha Jubair and captained by Mehidy Hasan Miraz, the Tigers showcased competitive spirit throughout the tournament.
6. Rangpur Riders: With Mickey Arthur as coach and Nurul Hasan Sohan as captain, the Riders aimed to capitalize on their strong performances from previous seasons.
7. Sylhet Strikers: Under the leadership of coach AKM Mahmud Emon and captain Ariful Haque, the Strikers competed with determination.

Tournament Venues

Matches were hosted across three primary venues:

• Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium, Dhaka: With a capacity of 26,000, it hosted 22 matches, including key playoff games.
• Zohur Ahmed Chowdhury Stadium, Chittagong: Accommodating 20,000 spectators, this venue hosted 12 matches.
• Sylhet International Cricket Stadium, Sylhet: With an 18,500 capacity, it also hosted 12 matches.

League Stage and Standings

The tournament followed a double round-robin format, where each team played every other team twice. The top four teams advanced to the playoffs based on their standings. Fortune Barishal and Chittagong Kings emerged as the top contenders, leading to their face-off in the final.

Playoffs and Final

The playoffs consisted of Qualifier 1, the Eliminator, Qualifier 2, and the Final. In the championship match held on February 7, 2025, at the Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium, Fortune Barishal triumphed over the Chittagong Kings by three wickets, securing their second BPL title.

Individual Performances and Awards

• Player of the Series: Mehidy Hasan Miraz of Khulna Tigers was honored for his all-round performance, amassing 355 runs and claiming 13 wickets over 14 innings.
• Most Runs: Mohammad Naim from Khulna Tigers topped the batting charts with 511 runs in 14 innings.
• Most Wickets: Taskin Ahmed of Durbar Rajshahi led the bowling department with 25 wickets in 12 innings.
• Best Fielder: Mushfiqur Rahim of Fortune Barishal was recognized for his exceptional fielding, contributing 12 catches and 2 stumpings.
• Young Player of the Tournament: Tanzid Hasan from Dhaka Capitals was acknowledged for his impressive 485 runs in 12 innings.

Controversies

The season faced challenges, notably when Durbar Rajshahi’s overseas players boycotted a match on January 26, 2025, due to unpaid dues. The BCB permitted Rajshahi to field an all-local team for that game, in which they secured a narrow two-run victory over Rangpur Riders. Additionally, Chittagong Kings encountered payment issues, with some player cheques bouncing, leading to disputes between players and management.

Conclusion

The 2025 Bangladesh Premier League showcased thrilling cricketing action, highlighted by Fortune Barishal’s championship win and standout individual performances. Despite facing administrative challenges, the tournament reinforced its significance in Bangladesh’s cricketing landscape and its role in nurturing local talent.