Three Bangladeshi women cricketers are set to feature in the 2026 Women’s Premier League (WPL) auction, signalling a potential breakthrough on the international franchise stage. Pacer Marufa Akter, all-rounder Swarna Akter, and leg-spinner Rabeya Khan have all registered their names for the upcoming auction, which could mark their debut in the WPL if picked by a franchise.
A total of 277 players submitted entries for the auction, but only 73 are expected to secure contracts, including a limited quota of 23 overseas players. This means each overseas player will face intense competition, potentially going up against three others for a single spot.
The auction list, released yesterday on the WPL website, has placed all three Bangladeshi cricketers in the 3 million rupee base price category. Players are classified into three categories: capped Indian, uncapped Indian, and capped overseas. The list includes 19 players with a top base price of 5 million rupees and 11 players listed at 4 million rupees. Meanwhile, 88 players are set in the 3 million rupee category.
Among overseas players, Australia leads with 23 entrants, followed by England with 22, New Zealand with 13, South Africa with 11, and Bangladesh and Sri Lanka contributing three each. Smaller contingents hail from the UAE, Thailand, and the United States. Eight players, including India’s Deepti Sharma and Renuka Singh, have been categorised as “mega-auction” players, with base prices ranging from 3 to 5 million rupees.
The fourth edition of the WPL, featuring five teams, is scheduled to begin on 7 January and conclude with the final on 3 February 2026. For Marufa, Swarna, and Rabeya, being picked in the auction could provide a crucial platform to showcase their talent at one of the biggest stages in women’s cricket.
