Sports events suspended nationwide after Khaleda Zia’s death
The Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) has postponed all matches under its jurisdiction today (30 December) as a mark of respect for the former Prime Minister Begum Khaleda Zia, reports BSS.
Meanwhile, all scheduled Federation Cup and women's football league matches were suspended today following the death of Khaleda Zia, reports UNB.
The Bangladesh Premier Leagur (BPL) T20 fixtures between Sylhet Titans and Chattogram Royals, and Dhaka Capitals against Rangpur Riders were called off and will be rescheduled at a later date, the BCB said in a press release.
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"In respect of the nation's mourning and in honour of Begum Khaleda Zia's legacy, the BCB announces that today's scheduled BPL T20 2025-26 matches have been cancelled and will be rescheduled," the media release stated.
The board added that further details regarding the revised fixtures would be communicated in due course. No new dates have yet been announced.
At the same time, the Cricket Committee of Dhaka Metropolis (CCDM) has postponed nine matches of the Dhaka First Division Cricket League (2025-26 season), scheduled to be held from 30 December 2025 to 1 January 2026.
"The postponed matches will be rescheduled and a revised itinerary will be issued in due course," the CCDM said in a separate press release.
"During this period of mourning, we extend our deepest condolences," the release added.
The Bangladesh Football Federation (BFF) confirmed that both Federation Cup fixtures slated for the day were postponed as part of nationwide mourning.
The Under-15 National Championship final, scheduled to be held in Noakhali, was also called off.
In women's football, three league matches due to be played at Kamalapur Stadium were suspended, with revised dates to be announced later.
BFF vice-president Fahad Rahman said the media all sporting activities for the day had been halted out of respect.
He added that it remained uncertain whether matches would resume the following day, as Khaleda Zia's funeral prayers were expected to be held tomorrow.
