The Bangladesh Premier League (BPL) match was delayed after players refused to take the field due to a dispute with the Bangladesh Cricket Board. The boycott was announced by the Cricketers Welfare Association of Bangladesh after they said they were humiliated by BCB finance committee chairman Najmul Islam.
On January 14, CWAB stated that players would not play in the BPL unless Najmul Islam resigned before the scheduled 1:00 PM match between Noakhali Express and Chattogram Royals at the Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium. No teams arrived at the venue hours before the match start, confirming the boycott.
CWAB also held a press conference at a city hotel after talks between BCB officials and player representatives failed to reach any solution. The meeting took place after CWAB had already given its ultimatum.
The BCB responded by saying it had started disciplinary action against Najmul Islam over objectionable comments. The board said a show-cause notice was issued, and he was asked to submit a written reply within 48 hours. The BCB added that the matter would be handled through proper procedures.
In its statement, the BCB stressed that players are the main stakeholders of the BPL and expressed hope that they would support the completion of the 2026 tournament. Sources said the start of the match could be delayed by a few hours depending on the outcome of the CWAB press conference.
Rajshahi Warriors vs Sylhet Titans Match 26 Under Doubt Amid BPL Standoff
The Rajshahi Warriors were scheduled to face the Sylhet Titans in Match 26 of the BPL 2025–26 on Thursday, January 15, at the Shere Bangla National Stadium in Dhaka, with the match starting at 5:30 PM IST and live streaming available on Fancode.
The Rajshahi Warriors are at the top of the points table with six wins from eight matches. A victory in this game would guarantee their advancement to the next round. This is the last group-stage game for the Sylhet Titans, who are in third place with five victories from nine games. They need to win, especially to increase their net run rate in order to qualify. On December 26, 2025, the Rajshahi Warriors defeated the Sylhet Titans in their lone match.
The Bangladesh Premier League matches remain uncertain as negotiations have failed to resolve the standoff. A Chattogram Royals official told The Daily Star that the situation is extremely complex and there is still no clarity on whether the match will be played.
Reports also said that Noakhali Express players stayed back at their team hotel and held a meeting while waiting for communication from the BCB. Even about an hour before the scheduled start, players from neither team had arrived at the venue, and only a few fans were present. As match start times continue to pass, CWAB leaders are expected to hold a press conference to formally announce their demands, with the immediate resignation of the director remaining their main demand.
FAQs
Q. What caused the delay in the BPL match?
A. The match was delayed because players refused to take the field due to a dispute with the Bangladesh Cricket Board.
Q. Who announced the boycott of BPL matches?
A. The boycott was announced by the Cricketers Welfare Association of Bangladesh (CWAB).
Q. What was CWAB’s main demand?
A. CWAB demanded the resignation of BCB finance committee chairman Najmul Islam.
Q. How did the BCB respond to the situation?
A. The BCB said it started disciplinary action against Najmul Islam and issued him a show-cause notice with 48 hours to reply.
Q. When was the Rajshahi Warriors vs Sylhet Titans match scheduled?
A. The match was scheduled for Thursday, January 15, at 5:30 PM IST at the Shere Bangla National Stadium in Dhaka.
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