Dhaka Premier Division Cricket League Returns with 12 Teams and Renewed Tensions

Key facts

• The tournament runs from May 4 to May 8, 2026, with 12 teams competing.
• Abahani Limited won the 2023-24 title, their 24th DPL championship.
• Tamim Iqbal suffered a heart attack during a DPL game and underwent emergency angioplasty.
• Taskin Ahmed recorded the most expensive figures in Bangladesh's List-A history during DPL week 2.
• Nasir Hossain returned to competitive cricket after a two-year ban ended.
• The BCB launched an investigation into a controversial stumping incident in the league.
• A standoff between the BCB and Dhaka clubs has left players in financial limbo.

Season Opener Amidst Club-BCB Standoff

The Dhaka Premier Division Cricket League, Bangladesh's premier List-A competition, begins its 2025-26 season today, May 4, 2026, with 12 teams vying for supremacy over a five-day window ending May 8. The tournament, however, kicks off under a cloud of discord between the Bangladesh Cricket Board and the city's clubs, a dispute that has left many players uncertain about their contracts and payments. This year's edition features a familiar lineup of clubs, including powerhouses Abahani Limited and Mohammedan Sporting Club, alongside Bashundhara Strikers, Gulshan Cricket Club, Dhaka Leopards, Brothers Union, Gazi Group Cricketers, Legends of Rupganj, Rupganj Tigers Cricket Club, Agrani Bank Cricket Club, Prime Bank Cricket Club, and City Club. Each team has submitted a 12-man List A squad, with star-studded rosters that include national team regulars such as Mushfiqur Rahim, Litton Das, and Taskin Ahmed.

Abahani's Dominance and Mohammedan's Challenge

Abahani Limited enter the tournament as defending champions, having outclassed Mohammedan Sporting Club to lift their 24th DPL title in the 2023-24 season. That final, a one-sided affair, underscored Abahani's enduring hegemony in domestic cricket. Mohammedan, however, boast a formidable squad this year, headlined by wicketkeeper-batsman Mushfiqur Rahim and a pace battery featuring Ebadot Hossain and Taskin Ahmed. In the previous season's league phase, Abahani and Mohammedan occupied the top two spots after week four, securing Super League berths. Abahani's consistency was driven by opener Anamul Haque, who continued his stellar form into week three, helping his side go top of the table. The two giants are expected to dominate again, but the shorter tournament format — compressed into just five days — could invite upsets.

Tamim's Health Scare and Taskin's Record-Breaking Spell

The tournament's buildup was overshadowed by a medical emergency involving veteran batsman Tamim Iqbal, who suffered a heart attack during a DPL game and underwent emergency angioplasty. The incident sent shockwaves through Bangladesh cricket and raised questions about player fitness and medical preparedness at domestic venues. On the field, the previous season witnessed a record of a different kind: Taskin Ahmed, the pace spearhead for Mohammedan, recorded the most expensive bowling figures in Bangladesh's List-A history during week two. His economy rate ballooned as batsmen targeted him, a rare off-day for the national team regular. The statistic highlighted the fine line between dominance and disaster in the format.

Controversies and Comebacks: Stumping Investigation and Nasir Hossain's Return

The Bangladesh Cricket Board launched an investigation into a controversial stumping decision during the 2023-24 DPL, a move that underscored the league's occasional brushes with officiating disputes. The incident, which sparked debate among players and fans, remains unresolved as the new season begins. In a more positive development, all-rounder Nasir Hossain resumed competitive cricket after serving a two-year ban. His return adds depth to the Agrani Bank Cricket Club squad, which also features experienced campaigners like Imrul Kayes and Shuvagata Hom. Hossain's comeback is a subplot that will be closely watched, given his previous contributions to Bangladesh's national setup.

Squad Depth and Emerging Talent Across the 12 Teams

The 12 squads reflect a blend of seasoned internationals and promising youngsters. Mohammedan Sporting Club's roster includes nine current or former Bangladesh internationals: Mushfiqur Rahim, Mohammad Naim Sheikh, Towhid Hridoy, Afif Hossain, Mohammad Saifuddin, Ebadot Hossain, Rishad Hossain, Taijul Islam, and Taskin Ahmed. Abahani Limited counter with Jaker Ali Anik, Soumya Sarkar, Mosaddek Hossain, and Sabbir Rahman, among others. Legends of Rupganj feature Litton Das, a mainstay of the national ODI and Test sides, while Prime Bank Cricket Club boasts Mahmudullah, the veteran all-rounder. City Club, the least decorated side, rely on a mix of domestic journeymen and uncapped players such as Shakil Hossain and Tahjibul Islam. The presence of multiple national-team calibre players ensures that the competition, though short, will be fiercely contested.

Outlook: A Five-Day Sprint with High Stakes

With the entire tournament compressed into five days, each match carries outsized importance. The schedule, announced by the BCB for the first three rounds, sets a relentless pace that will test squad depth and recovery. Teams that adapt quickly to conditions and manage their bowling resources effectively are likely to prevail. Off the field, the BCB's invitation for Expressions of Interest from business houses suggests a push for greater commercial investment in the league. However, the unresolved standoff with clubs over player payments and governance could undermine that ambition. For now, the focus returns to the middle: 12 teams, 10 venues across Bangladesh, and a scramble for the title that begins today.

The bottom line

• The 2025-26 Dhaka Premier Division Cricket League runs from May 4 to May 8, 2026, featuring 12 teams.
• Abahani Limited are the defending champions, having won their 24th title in the 2023-24 season.
• Tamim Iqbal's heart attack during a DPL game and Taskin Ahmed's record-expensive bowling spell were major talking points from the previous season.
• The BCB is investigating a controversial stumping decision and has invited Expressions of Interest for league investment.
• Nasir Hossain has returned to competitive cricket after a two-year ban, adding experience to Agrani Bank Cricket Club.
• The compressed five-day format places a premium on squad rotation and quick adaptation.