Bangladesh women’s cricket is set for a significant leap forward with the announcement of the inaugural Women’s Bangladesh Premier League (WBPL) T20, scheduled to be held from April 3 to 15, 2026. The tournament, confirmed by the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB), will mark the country’s first franchise-based T20 competition for women and is being viewed as a transformative step in strengthening the domestic structure of the women’s game.
Following years of discussions and anticipation, the WBPL will finally become a reality, much to the delight of players and stakeholders. Bangladesh women’s captain Nigar Sultana welcomed the development, emphasising how long the cricketing community had waited for such a platform.
“I have been hearing for many years that this (WBPL) was going to happen, so finally the announcement has come. Obviously, it is good news,” Sultana said. “We have always said that there should be a competitive franchise tournament for women. Other countries are already playing women’s franchise-based T20 tournaments, and it’s paying dividends for them.”
The inaugural edition is expected to feature three franchise teams, bringing together national players and emerging domestic talent. A player draft system will be implemented to distribute local cricketers evenly across squads, while provisions will also be made for overseas signings. The inclusion of international players is expected to significantly raise the competitive standard and provide invaluable exposure to Bangladesh’s younger cricketers.
For Sultana, the league’s timing could not be more crucial, particularly with the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup in England later this year. She highlighted the role franchise tournaments play in sharpening skills and broadening tactical awareness. “If you want to compete in world cricket in the T20 format, you have to look at how other countries are progressing through franchise cricket. Most players take part in franchise leagues in different places, and that is how their skill levels develop in various ways. So, for us, this would be a very good opportunity,” she noted.
Beyond preparation for global tournaments, the Bangladesh captain stressed the broader developmental benefits of sharing dressing rooms with seasoned international professionals. “Plus, it would be a huge experience for both local players and those interested in the game. If we can bring in top-class players from world cricket who regularly play franchise leagues and have them share the dressing room and their experiences, the overall quality of cricket will improve. With the T20 World Cup ahead of us, this would be the best possible preparation,” she added.
The BCB has appointed Rubaba Dowla, Director and Chairperson of its Women’s Wing, as Chairperson of the WBPL Governing Council, which will oversee the organisation and smooth execution of the tournament. While further details regarding franchises, venues and broadcast arrangements are expected in the coming weeks, the announcement itself signals a firm commitment to elevating women’s cricket in Bangladesh.
With women’s franchise leagues already thriving in countries such as India and Australia, the launch of the WBPL aligns Bangladesh with a global shift towards professionalised domestic structures for women cricketers. For a team that has shown steady improvement on the international stage, the new tournament represents both opportunity and ambition, a chance to deepen the talent pool, strengthen competitiveness and inspire the next generation of cricketers across the country.
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