BCB postpones BPL double-header following Khaleda Zia’s death

The Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) has postponed two of the Bangladesh Premier League (BPL) matches on Tuesday, 30 December, following the death of former Prime Minister Khaleda Zia earlier in the morning, according to ESPNcricinfo.

The BCB announced the decision a few hours before the first match between the Sylhet Titans and the Chattogram Royals at the Sylhet International Cricket Stadium was scheduled to begin.

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In respect of the nation’s mourning following the passing of Begum Khaleda Zia, today’s BPL T20 matches have been cancelled. Revised fixtures will be announced in due course.#BPL #BPL2026 #BCB #Cricket #T20 #Bangladesh pic.x.com/4rpVXpEspL

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— BPL Bangladesh Premier League (@BPLofficialT20) December 30, 2025

The second match, between the Dhaka Capitals and the Rangpur Riders, was scheduled to be played in the evening at the same venue. As a mark of respect, both matches were called off.

“The BCB recalls with gratitude her [Zia’s] constant blessings and good wishes for the progress of cricket in this country,” a BCB statement said, as quoted by ESPNcricinfo.

“During her tenure as Prime Minister, she provided outstanding support for the development of cricket in Bangladesh, significantly contributing to improvements in cricket infrastructure and the sport’s growth nationwide. Her vision and encouragement helped pave the way for many of the advancements the game enjoys today,” it added.

“In respect of the nation’s mourning and in honour of Begum Khaleda Zia’s legacy, the BCB announces that today’s scheduled Bangladesh Premier League matches have been cancelled and will be rescheduled. Further details on the revised fixtures will be communicated in due course,” the statement read.

Begum Khaleda Zia passed away at the age of 80 in the early hours of Tuesday, December 30. She had been admitted to Evercare Hospital in Dhaka on November 23 and was undergoing treatment for a lung infection.

The former prime minister had been suffering from several health issues for a long time, including heart disease, diabetes, arthritis, liver cirrhosis and kidney complications. She was also sent to London for advanced medical treatment.

As per the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) statement on Facebook, Zia died at around 6 am (local time), shortly after the Fajr prayer. “Khaleda Zia passed away at around 6:00 am, just after Fajr prayer,” the statement read.

“We pray for the eternal peace of her soul and ask everyone to pray for her departed soul,” it added.

A large crowd gathered outside the hospital in the morning as Begum Zia’s son and Acting Chairman of the BNP, Tarique Rahman, arrived to pay his respects to his late mother.

According to BCB, the matches will be rescheduled, and further details will be communicated in due course.