The Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) has formally announced the inaugural edition of the Women’s Bangladesh Premier League (WBPL), marking a historic step in promoting women’s professional cricket in the country. The tournament will feature three franchises, with the players’ draft scheduled for 14 March. Selection committees have already begun categorising local cricketers into different tiers for the draft.
Local players will be divided into five salary categories, with the highest tier designated as ‘Icon’. Each franchise will select one national team star as their Icon player. These top-tier cricketers will receive Tk 1,000,000 each. Veteran captain Nigar Sultana is confirmed as an Icon player, while vice-captains Nahida Akter and Sobhna Mostari are under consideration.
The second-highest tier, ‘A’ category, will comprise six local players. Each franchise may pick two players from this category, with each receiving Tk 700,000. The ‘B’ category includes 12 players, who will be offered Tk 500,000 apiece.
A large pool of local talent will fall under the ‘C’ category, consisting of approximately 20 players earning Tk 300,000 each. Those not picked in the first round of the draft may be included in the ‘D’ category, with a remuneration of Tk 150,000. The final categorisation list is expected to be confirmed within the next few days, according to women’s team selector Sazzad Ahmed.
Local Player Salary Categories
| Category | Number of Players | Players per Team | Salary (Tk) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Icon | 3 | 1 | 1,000,000 |
| A | 6 | 2 | 700,000 |
| B | 12 | Variable | 500,000 |
| C | ~20 | Variable | 300,000 |
| D | Variable | Variable | 150,000 |
Franchises may also directly negotiate contracts with foreign players prior to the draft, depending on player interest. Draft participation for foreign players is still under discussion. Tentative salaries for overseas recruits are USD 8,000 for A category, USD 6,000 for B, and USD 3,000 for C. Teams must field two foreign players per match and maintain a minimum of four foreign players in the squad.
The WBPL matches will be held from 3 to 15 April, potentially at the Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium in Mirpur and the Bir Sreshtho Matiur Rahman Stadium in Chattogram. The BCB has issued notices inviting franchise ownership bids. Interested parties must pay a franchise fee of Tk 3,000,000. Already, Nabil Group, owner of the men’s BPL champions Rajshahi Warriors, has expressed interest in participating. The BCB has also begun seeking sponsors and television broadcast partners for the tournament.
The WBPL represents a major milestone for women’s cricket in Bangladesh, combining competitive play, professional contracts, and franchise-based management, offering both local and international players a platform to showcase their talent.