The air around Mirpur’s cricket grounds has begun to carry the unmistakable buzz of the upcoming Bangladesh Premier League, with players fully immersed in training and pre-tournament routines.
After wrapping up his session at the academy, Akbar Ali was just stepping off the practice field when spinner Naeem Hasan called out to him from a distance, playfully offering a mock “salute.” Laughing, Akbar walked over, and the two quickly fell into a lively conversation, exchanging jokes and sharing stories from recent tours.
Shortly afterwards, Ripon Mondol was spotted waiting by his car. The youngster had recently shone in the Asia Cup Rising Stars tournament, and he was waiting for his teammate Mehrab Hossain. Once Mehrab arrived, the duo set off for the team hotel in Rajshahi, where their squad is preparing for the BPL campaign.
A few minutes later, pacer Nahid Rana emerged from the academy building, clad in his national team practice jersey. A journalist joked, “Your BPL debut still hasn’t happened yet!” Nahid, recognising the jest, smiled and replied, “Just a few more hours.” He then climbed into the Rangpur Riders’ vehicle, heading to the Bashundhara Sports Complex to join the franchise’s training session.
Scenes like these, small snapshots of cricketers in motion, have set the tone for the BPL’s imminent arrival. The first teams to take the field were the Rajshahi Warriors, who began practice two days ago. Yesterday, Dhaka Capitals, Rangpur Riders, and Sylhet Titans joined the sessions.
Despite various controversies and concerns surrounding the tournament, the BPL is set to kick off on 26 December in Sylhet. The Titans have already started their practice there, while the other teams continue training in Dhaka. The inaugural match will see Sylhet face Rajshahi at 3 pm, followed by Chattogram against the new franchise from Noakhali at 8 pm.
The four teams are scheduled to relocate to Sylhet tomorrow, with most overseas players joining their respective squads there. For the opening day matches, 50% of tickets were sold out in just two hours, underlining the growing excitement among fans.
Players have also begun sharing their expectations. Akbar Ali, the standout performer in the latest NCL T20 with 222 runs in eight matches, said, “I will give my absolute best whenever I get a chance. I want to maintain the mindset I had in the NCL while batting.”
National cricketer Nahid Rana promised to showcase his new skills and build on his previous BPL performances, while Mohammad Mithun, who led Chattogram Kings to last season’s final, now captains Dhaka Capitals. He emphasised, “The start is crucial. The quicker we gel as a team at the beginning, the more it will benefit us later in the tournament.”
With training intensity rising and players fully focused, Mirpur’s grounds have become a microcosm of BPL anticipation, signalling that the tournament is fast approaching—and cricket fans are ready for the spectacle.
Optional Table: BPL Teams Training Status (Mirpur & Sylhet, December 2025)
| Team | Training Location | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Rajshahi Warriors | Mirpur Academy | Began practice 2 days ago |
| Dhaka Capitals | Mirpur Academy | Preparing under captain Mohammad Mithun |
| Rangpur Riders | Bashundhara Sports Complex | Joined training yesterday |
| Sylhet Titans | Sylhet Stadium | Already training locally |
