The Bangladesh Premier League (BPL) 2026 auction is over, and Naim Sheikh has emerged as the most expensive player. After a fierce bidding war, Chattogram Royals bought him for 1.1 crore BDT.

This year’s auction was special because the BPL held its first mega auction after 12 years, giving teams a fresh chance to rebuild. The league moved away from the long-used player draft format, bringing excitement for both players and franchises.

With six teams taking part, every franchise had an opportunity to reshape its core squad. Before the auction, teams made a few direct signings—both local and overseas—setting the stage for aggressive bidding on auction day.

Here is a look at the top 10 highest-paid players in this year’s auction;

Also Read -BPL 2026: Full squads list after completion of auction and everything you need to know

Top 10 Highest-Paid Players – BPL 2026 Auction

1. Naim Sheikh (BDT 1.1 crore)

Naim Sheikh topped the list with 1.1 crore BDT. His base price was 50 lakh BDT, but multiple teams bid aggressively for him. In the end, Chattogram Royals secured him for the upcoming season.

2. Towhid Hridoy (BDT 92 lakh)

Towhid Hridoy was the second-highest earner. He was sold for 92 lakh BDT as Rangpur Riders invested heavily to bring the promising batter into their squad.

3. Litton Das (BDT 70 lakh)

Many expected national T20 captain Litton Das to be the highest-paid, but he went for 70 lakh BDT. Rangpur Riders successfully bought him for their team.

BPL 2026 Players Auction has officially concluded.

Here are the team squads after the auction.

Foreign players signed outside the auction will be added later. those signings have no limit.

1/2#BPL2026 pic.twitter.com/hAx60EGUWK

— Raisul Rifat (@raisul_rifat88) November 30, 2025

4. Mohammad Saifuddin (BDT 68 lakh)

Pace-bowling all-rounder Mohammad Saifuddin earned 68 lakh BDT. Dhaka Capitals added him to their line-up to strengthen both their batting and bowling.

5. Tanzim Hasan Sakib (BDT 65 lakh)

Rajshahi Warriors picked Tanzim Hasan Sakib for 65 lakh BDT, placing him fifth on the list. He can contribute with both bat and ball.

6. Shamim Hossain & Nahid Rana (BDT 56 lakh)

Shamim Hossain and Nahid Rana shared the sixth spot, each earning 56 lakh BDT. Dhaka Capitals bought Shamim, while Rangpur Riders signed Nahid for the same amount.

7. Mohammad Mithun (BDT 52 lakh)

Mohammad Mithun was purchased for 52 lakh BDT by Dhaka Capitals.

8. Habibur Rahman Sohan (BDT 50 lakh)

Noakhali Express signed Habibur Rahman Sohan for 50 lakh BDT. The youngster has been in excellent form, scoring a 35-ball century in the Rising Stars Asia Cup this month.

9. Khaled Ahmed (BDT 47 lakh)

Pace bowler Khaled Ahmed went to Sylhet Titans for 47 lakh BDT.

The former Bangladesh captain, Mushfiqur Rahim, has become the first Bangladesh player to feature in 100 Tests as he takes the field during the second Test against Ireland in Mirpur. One of the long-time servants of the country, the right-handed batter made his debut in 2005, making him the youngest debutant at Lord’s- a record that still stands. He captained the side in 34 Tests and kept wickets in 55 of them. 

Mushfiqur, unreasonably, is the leading run-getter of the Bangladesh side with 6351 runs at an average of 38.02 with 12 centuries. In his first 30 Tests from 2005 to 2012, the wicket-keeper batter has smacked 1587 runs at an average of nearly 29. Since then, he has clubbed 4764 runs at an average of 42.53, scoring 11 centuries and 18 half-centuries.

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Rahim’s three Test centuries are the second-most among batters who bat at number 5 or below. Only the former Australia captain, Michael Clarke, is above them in the list with four centuries. Mushfiqur has been the backbone of Bangladesh’s fortunes in away games as his average of 38.70 is more away than at home (37.53).

Mushfiqur Rahim becomes first Bangladesh player to feature in 100 Tests

Among those batters who have collected 1000 runs in the longest format, Rahim has an average of 45.77, which is the highest first innings average for the country. In the first innings of the five-day format, he has recorded 4211 runs in 99 innings at an average of 45.77.

Rahim has played the second-most games (28) as the wicket-keeping captain, only behind MS Dhoni (60). Mushfiqur should have been playing his milestone Test at the Shere Bangla National Stadium, a venue where he has scored exactly 5000 runs- a record for most international runs at a single venue.

Rahim has Test hundreds in six nations, again the most for Bangladesh. He is also the only player of the country to score a Test hundred in all four Asian countries where Test cricket has been played (excluding the United Arab Emirates).

The Bangladesh Premier League is set for its 12th edition in 2026, and it is going to have a major overhaul with its very own players’ auction. This is a significant development since the auction dynamic returns after a long gap of 12 years. The BPL Governing Council confirmed November 23 as the auction date.

Notably, only the first two editions of the Bangladesh Premier League, which were held in 2012 and 2013, featured the auction system. The rest of the seasons up till the 2024-25 edition followed a players’ draft format. In an official statement released by the BPL Governing Council, the Board stated that they are aiming for a new franchise ownership cycle by introducing the bidding process, which aligns with international T20 franchise standards.

"Organised by the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) and the BPL Governing Council, this year's auction will mark the beginning of a new franchise ownership cycle, introducing a restructured and transparent bidding process designed to align the BPL with international T20 franchise standards," the statement read.

Auction Structure, Regulations, and Participating Franchises

As per the press release, the bids that franchisees can place will range from BDT 50,000 to BDT 5,00,000 across six local player categories and from $1,000 to $5,000 across five foreign overseas categories. As per the regulations released, each franchise must acquire at least 11 local and national players and a minimum of two overseas players through the auction. Besides, BPL has also allowed teams to directly sign up to two local players from Category A or B before the auction takes place.

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The local player purse has a limit of BDT 4.5 crore (excluding direct signings), while the overseas purse has a limit of $350,000, including direct signings. The statement further revealed that franchises will be allowed to register or replace overseas players during BPL 2025-26 after notifying the BPL Governing Council. As for the playing XI, each team can field a minimum of two and a maximum of four overseas players in the playing XI. As of now, five franchises, Dhaka Capitals, Chattogram Royals, Rajshahi Warriors, Rangpur Riders, and Sylhet Titans will be taking part in the 12th edition of the Bangladesh Premier League.

The upcoming season of the Bangladesh Premier League (BPL) will have five teams, confirmed the BPL Governing Council. The council also announced the official team names, and no further name changes are allowed.

Earlier, it was confirmed that five regional teams would play – Dhaka, Chattogram, Sylhet, Rangpur, and Rajshahi. Now, the BPL announced their official names: Dhaka Capitals, Chattogram Royals, Rajshahi Warriors, Rangpur Riders, and Sylhet Titans.

A total of 11 companies submitted bids to own the teams. After the first screening, three franchises were removed. They included SQ Sports (former owners of Chittagong Kings), Bangla Mark from Noakhali, and Mind Tree & Ruposhi Concrete Consortium, which previously represented Khulna.

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Sylhet Titans Sign Four International Stars

Sylhet Titans have started their Bangladesh Premier League (BPL) campaign by signing four international stars even before the players’ draft. The team confirmed that England’s Moeen Ali, Sri Lanka’s Kusal Mendis, Afghanistan’s Azmatullah Omarzai, and Pakistan’s Mohammad Amir have all joined through direct contracts.

Sylhet’s BPL teams have struggled to stay consistent and professional over the years. Even though some teams showed promise at times, none created a lasting identity. The most recent team, Sylhet Strikers, had some great moments but lost steam at the end of last season.

This time, the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) gave franchise ownership to Cricket With Sami, a group that wants to bring stability and long-term vision to Sylhet cricket. The team also changed its name to Sylhet Titans.

Coaching Panel and Team Strength

Although the Titans have not signed any local players yet, their international signings have drawn attention. Moeen Ali brings all-round skills, Kusal Mendis adds top-order stability, Omarzai shows emerging talent, and Mohammad Amir adds left-arm pace. This mix gives Sylhet a strong base for the upcoming BPL season.

The team also added two Bangladeshi coaches. Former national opener and successful BPL captain Imrul Kayes will be the batting coach. Former Bangladesh pacer Syed Rasel will serve as the pace-bowling coach.

Franchises Begin Preparations for BPL

The newly confirmed franchises – Dhaka Capitals, Chattogram Royals, Rajshahi Warriors, Rangpur Riders, and Sylhet Titans – will now start preparations for the tournament’s upcoming start.

Former Bangladesh cricketer and current Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) vice-president Faruque Ahmed was hospitalized in Dhaka after suffering a cardiac arrest on Sunday, November 9. The former player, who later became a key cricket administrator, is currently under medical care in the Coronary Care Unit (CCU) after undergoing an emergency heart procedure.

According to a Cricbuzz report, Faruque complained of severe chest pain around noon on Sunday and was immediately rushed to a local hospital. After an angiogram, doctors found a blockage in one of his arteries, and a stent was successfully inserted in the evening to restore blood flow. Medical staff have confirmed that his condition is now stable, though he will remain under close observation for several days as a precaution.

A BCB official told Daily Sun, “He was feeling unwell since last night. This afternoon, he was taken to hospital. After an angiogram, a blockage was found in his heart, and doctors inserted a ring in the evening. Now he is in the CCU.” The board and cricket fraternity have expressed their support and well-wishes for Faruque’s recovery.

Faruque Ahmed’s Journey in Bangladesh Cricket

Faruque Ahmed has played an important role in Bangladesh cricket both as a player and an administrator. He played internationally for the country from 1984 to 1999, and was part of the first generation of players who helped Bangladesh develop in international cricket. In his playing career, he featured in ODIs and scored 105 runs, with a best score of 57.

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After retiring, Faruque stayed connected to the game by serving twice as a national selector, helping discover and support new young players. In August 2024, he became the interim president of the BCB after Nazmul Hassan’s resignation and served for nine months before Aminul Islam Bulbul took over. Later, in the October 2024 BCB elections, Faruque was elected under the club category and became one of the board’s vice-presidents under Aminul’s leadership.

The Bangladesh Cricket Board took a strong step in the wake of revelations by cricketer Jahanara Alam of sexual harassment and inappropriate behavior by a senior official. Her statements have shocked the cricket community and brought attention to the issue of safety and respect in women’s cricket.

In an interview with journalist Riasad Azim, Jahanara said that Manjurul Alam, a former Bangladesh pacer and women’s team manager during the 2022 ICC Women’s World Cup, made “offensive requests” and behaved wrongly toward her. Her revelation brought widespread concern and invoked immediate action on the part of the BCB.

The BCB, following her interview, announced the probe into the matter and subsequently formed a special committee to investigate the allegations. The board has asked the committee to submit a detailed report within 15 working days to ensure fairness and transparency.

BCB President Emphasizes ‘Zero-Tolerance’ Stance

Speaking to reporters, BCB President Aminul Islam reiterated the board’s uncompromising approach to misconduct within the organization. “You’ve asked a question, and here’s my reply: zero tolerance. Thank you,” he said firmly. Aminul emphasized that while the BCB will not tolerate any form of harassment or misconduct, it will also ensure that due process is followed and that both the accused and the complainant receive fair treatment.

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He further added, “If the allegations are true, they will not be tolerated. But at the same time, since such investigations touch upon someone's personal life, it can also harm them if the allegations turn out to be false. So, at least five to seven days should be given to them.” The president also made it clear that this policy applies to everyone, including himself and all board directors. “For example, if the allegations were against me, they would carry out a full investigation against me as well. If the investigators recommended my removal, then I would have to step aside too. There will be zero tolerance, whether it's the president, a board director, or any employee,” he stated.

To preserve the integrity of the investigation, the BCB has temporarily reassigned four officials associated with the women’s team, manager SM Golam Faiyaz, physio Suraiya Akter, coach Mahmum Emon, and official Sarfaraz Baby, to special duties until the inquiry is complete.

As the winter cricket season starts, fans usually expect Bangladesh leg-spinner Rishad Hossain to shine in the Bangladesh Premier League (BPL). But this time, the young spinner is heading to Australia instead of Dhaka.

Rishad has decided to skip the BPL and join the Hobart Hurricanes in the Big Bash League (BBL). This move shows his ambition to play and learn abroad. Last year, Rishad was signed by Hobart but didn’t get a chance to play. So, he went on to play for Fortune Barishal in the BPL, but even there, his chances were limited.

Ironically, both teams, Hobart Hurricanes and Barishal, went on to win their leagues. This year, Rishad has full permission from the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) through a No Objection Certificate (NOC) and is ready for his first complete BBL season.

Rishad Hossain's overseas ambition

Rishad explained his decision clearly. “As a leg-spinner, playing in overseas leagues helps me improve both my bowling and mindset. I spoke with a few people about what would be better for my career, and everyone said Big Bash is a huge platform , so I tried my best, and by the grace of Allah, it worked out,” he said. He added that no one pushed him; it was entirely his choice. “I just asked myself what I needed to do to move forward. Playing in a big league like the BBL, in those dream venues, is a big opportunity for me.”

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For a young spinner from Bangladesh, this is a bold step. He wants to test himself on faster and bouncier pitches. He also received praise from cricket legends Ricky Ponting and Aaron Finch, which motivated him even more. “It feels good when players of that stature talk about me. It motivates me to keep performing and live up to their words,” Rishad said.

The new BBL season is a huge opportunity for Rishad to develop, learn, and prove himself. As the Hurricanes look to defend their title, he can't wait to be part of it this year and not miss another season as a spectator.

The Bangladesh Cricket Board has revealed the schedule for the upcoming six-match white-ball series of three ODIs and three T20Is against West Indies at home in mid-October. This will be a perfect preparation for both sides in the shortest format ahead of the upcoming T20 World Cup 2026 in India and Sri Lanka.

The BCB, as reports claimed, reckoned that the three-match 50-over series will be played at the Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium in Dhaka while the T20Is will take place at the Bir Shrestho Flight Lieutenant Matiur Rahman Cricket Stadium, which was previously known as the Zahur Ahmed Cricket Stadium, in Chattogram.

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The series will start the home season for the Asian country, with the opening game being played on October 18, while the following games will take place on October 20 and 23, respectively. After a three-day break, the focus will shift to the T20I series from October 27, with the next two games being scheduled on October 30 and November 01.

Bangladesh to host West Indies for white-ball series at home

The series will be incredibly vital for both the home side and the tourists, considering it will be the last assignment for both teams to prepare for the World Cup. In Bangladesh, the conditions will be nearly similar to India and Sri Lanka, favoring the spinners and the slower bowlers, with dew anticipated late in the evening.

It will also be a busy schedule for the West Indies all-format players. The final of the ongoing 2025 season of the Caribbean Premier League (CPL) will take place on September 21 at the Providence Stadium. A week later, they will travel to Sharjah for the historic T20I series against Nepal.

At the end of it, the Roston Chase-led side will turn their focus to India for the two-match Test series, before heading to Bangladesh for the white-ball series by the first week of November.

West Indies Tour of Bangladesh 2025

Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) president Aminul Islam Bulbul believes that the level of batting and bowling in the Asia Cup 2025 is not very similar. That's why the Bangladesh cricket team has high chances to go far in the tournament, he said. 

Ahead of their first match of the Asia Cup 2025 against Hong Kong, the BCB head said that the Bangladesh cricket team has enough talent and potential to attract a good outcome from the competition. He emphasizes running between the wicket and stunning efforts in fielding will be enough to create a gap between two teams. Bulbul opined that every participating team in the contest contains almost similar levels of batting and bowling quality, so extra effort in running and fielding is required. 

"The Asia Cup will be decided by running between the wickets and fielding... In this format, every team bats and bowls at a similar level. If we can score 15 extra runs through running and save 10 runs in the field, that alone could decide the match. These small margins will create the big difference, the BCB president said. 

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He specially mentioned the Afghanistan cricket team, as they are well aware of the conditions in the United Arab Emirates. Afghanistan treats the UAE as their second home ground. 

Bulbul opined, "UAE is Afghanistan’s home ground. They will feel comfortable there. But with the skills and talent our players have, I am confident that if they give their best, they will achieve good results." 

BCB president hoping for a good result 

The former Bangladesh skipper concluded his views by saying that the Tiger brigade has a bright chance to do well in the tournament. He feels more confident because of the Twenty20 format. 

"I truly believe we have the potential to go far in this tournament. T20 is a format where anything can happen, but I am very confident in this team. If we play to our strengths, the results will follow," he added. 

Bangladesh will hit the ground running by playing their maiden Asia Cup fixture against Hong Kong on September 11. Placed in Group G, alongside Sri Lanka and Afghanistan, the Tigers are surrounded by potent opponents, each of whom has at least one T20I victory against them. Bangladesh have traditionally not been at their best in recent Asia Cup editions. Throughout the history of the Asia Cup, despite showing flashes of sporadic brilliance, their performance has been very underwhelming. 

Nevertheless, Bangladesh, led by Litton Kumar Das, arrives at the Asia Cup 2025 with a lot of promise on the back of a dynamic bowling lineup, backed by strategic preparation. If their spinners thrive on UAE conditions and their batting units, especially the middle order, hold firm under pressure, they could potentially flip the script and get mighty close to clinching their maiden Asia Cup title, just the way it managed to do back in 2012. 

As Bangladesh looks to commence its Asia Cup campaign with positivity, we have performed an extensive SWOT analysis of the current squad in an effort to better evaluate its competitive edge. 

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Strengths

• Potent Bowling Arsenal: Bangladesh boasts a well-rounded bowling attack. The pace duo of Taskin Ahmed and Mustafizur Rahman brings experience and skill. Taskin, with his hitting-the-deck style of seam bowling, and Mustafizur, with his deceptive slower deliveries, make for a highly versatile pace attack. Spin options are varied and effective. From Mahedi Hasan (off-spin), to Rishad Hossain (leg-spin), and Nasum Ahmed (left-arm orthodox), Bangladesh have a plethora of spin bowlers to work with, as all of them offer different styles of bowling. 
• Emerging Power Players & Experience Blend: Litton Das leads the batting charge with aggression and keeps wickets, providing dual value. He put on a stellar show with the bat in the recently concluded T20I series against the Netherlands, finishing unbeaten in all three games. Towhid Hridoy has risen as a dynamic middle-order threat. The right-handed batter left his mark earlier this year in the Champions Trophy (also played in the UAE) by escorting Bangladesh from a tricky situation, catapulting them post a respectable total against India on the back of his gritty hundred.
• Positive Momentum & Preparation: Confidence remains buoyed after recent series wins and a structured build-up, including a T20I series against the Netherlands and a preparatory training camp.

Weaknesses

• Over-Reliance on Litton Das: There’s a growing dependence on Litton for batting stability. If he fails to deliver, the team often lacks alternative match-winners. 
• Inconsistent Batting and Middle-Order Fragility: The middle order has shown signs of collapses, especially under pressure, with a lack of a proven finisher to seal tight games.
• Inexperience in Multi-team Competitions: The squad includes newer faces and lacks seasoned campaigners accustomed to high-stakes tournaments.

Opportunities

• Historic First Asia Cup Victory: Having never lifted the Asia Cup trophy, Bangladesh enters with a strong incentive to break that barrier. Since they do not bear the burden of the champion's tag, they can express themselves and play with a lot of freedom.
• Youthful Talent Stepping Up: Emerging players like Towhid Hridoy, Tanzid Hasan, Parvez Hossain Emon, and Rishad Hossain can inject excitement and unpredictability.
• Spin Advantage: It is a well-known fact that the spinners get to have a lot of say while bowling on the UAE pitches. As the Bangladeshi spinners have consistently performed well at home, the conditions in the UAE are almost identical to those of Bangladesh, thus making them a potent threat to contend with. 

Threats

• Formidable Group B Draw: Sharing a group with Sri Lanka and Afghanistan ensures a tough path just to reach the Super 4 round, as both teams have registered more T20I wins against Bangladesh in head-to-head clashes. 
• Choking in Pressure Situations: A recurring pattern of underperforming in critical moments raises concern, especially given the high stakes of continental tournaments.

Strongest predicted playing XL: Tanzid Hasan Tamim, Parvez Hossain Emon, Litton Das (captain & Wk), Towhid Hridoy, Jaker Ali Anik, Mahedi Hasan, Rishad Hossain, Taskin Ahmed, Shoriful Islam, Mustafizur Rahman, Nasum Ahmed