BPL opens with tribute to Hadi, national anthem and sea of red-green balloon 

The entire stadium was awash with red and green balloons. Around 25,000 balloons were released into the sky above Sylhet International Stadium. Earlier, a minute's silence was observed in memory of Shaheed Osman Bin Hadi. Following recitation from the Holy Quran, the national anthem was sung.

Through these arrangements, BCB president Aminul Islam formally declared the opening of the BPL today. A grand opening ceremony had been scheduled in Dhaka on 24 December, but it was cancelled due to security concerns.

The on-field action of the BPL began today at 3pm with a match between Rajshahi Warriors and Sylhet Titans. On the first day, Fuad Al Muqtadir is set to perform for the spectators during the mid-innings break, along with a light show.

However, the BPL has been surrounded by controversy even before it began. One day before the tournament started, the BCB took over the ownership of Chattogram Royals. Yesterday, during practice, Noakhali Express head coach Khaled Mahmud and assistant coach Talha Jubayer left the ground in anger in a CNG auto-rickshaw after not being provided with balls. Khaled

Mahmud later returned and said the incident was due to a "misunderstanding".

The captains' photoshoot, scheduled for the day before the tournament, also did not take place as the trophy has yet to arrive in Bangladesh. Overall, amid this disorganised build-up, it is now the cricket on the field that may offer some relief. In the opening match, Rajshahi Warriors won the toss against Sylhet and chose to field first.