BPL set to kick off today amid huge frenzy

The 11th edition of the Bangladesh Premier League (BPL) will kick off today (Monday) with the cricket frenzy already hitting the fever pitch, report agencies.

As has been the case, the hype of BPL captivated the fans whose enthusiasm for a ticket of the first match of BPL was palpable.

Since morning, crowds have been gathering around the Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium in the city for tickets. Fans said they waited for hours for physical tickets in front of the stadium but were unable to reach anyone in that regard.

The BCB, however, later informed that tickets can be purchased both online and physically from the seven designated branches of the Modhumoti Bank PLC.

BPL will kick off with the match between Fortune Barishal, the defending champions and newcomer, Durbar Rajshhai, at 1:30 pm today (Monday).

On the other match of the opening day, Dhaka Capital will take on Rangpur Riders at 7:00 pm at the same venue.

Both of the matches will be held at Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium. Chattogram's Zahur Ahmed Chowdhury Stadium and Sylhet International Cricket Stadium are the other two venues of the tournament.

The BPL will move first to Sylhet where it will be held from January 06-13. Chattogram will then host the tournament from January 16-23. Later, Mirpur will host the remaining matches of the tournament including the playoffs and final from January 26-February 07.

Earlier, the BCB unveiled the youth festival ceremony and unmasked of mascot before staging a music fest to announce the arrival of the BPL. Now the show is going to get the full fulfillment as the cricket is set to take the center stage.

Meanwhile, BPL organisers have announced free water services for the fans at all the venues in Dhaka, Sylhet and Chattogram.

This is the first time when the BPL organisers are taking this initiative in BPL.

Organisers said there will be Mugdho Corners at the gallery, where fans can drink free water thanks to BCB's drinking partner Pusti.

Those designated areas are named after Mir Mugdho, a man who was killed during the July- August uprising that ousted the previous government led by Sheikh Hasina.

The announcement was made during an event to introduce the tournament's official drinking partner on Sunday. Similar "Mugdho Corners" will also be installed at the Sylhet International Cricket Stadium and the Zahur Ahmed Chowdhury Stadium in Chattogram, confirmed BPL Member Secretary Nazmul Abedin.

Meanwhile, BCB started selling tickets for the BPL following a demonstration by hundreds of eager fans outside the venue- Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium- on Sunday afternoon.

Fans can purchase tickets either online or in person, with sales already underway from Sunday at different places close to the venue.

For online buyers, tickets can be accessed through the official website (www.gobcbticket.com.bd). Hard copies of tickets are being sold at designated Modhumoti Bank PLC branches. On Sunday, tickets were made available between 4:00 pm and 6:00 pm. On Monday, the opening day of BPL, sales will continue from 10:00 am to 4:00 pm.

The branches facilitating sales include those located in Mirpur, Motijheel, Uttara, Gulshan, Dhanmondi, Kamrangir Char, and on VIP Road in Paltan. Fans are advised to visit the branch closest to them during the specified hours.

The price of the tickets varies based on seating categories. Premium seats at the Grand Stand, both lower and upper levels, will cost BDT 2,000. Tickets for the International Gallery North (Media Block) and International Lounge South (Corporate Block) are available for BDT 1,000, while seats in the International Gallery South (Corporate Block) are priced at BDT 800.

The Club House stands, both North and South, are available at BDT 500, and for Southern or Northern Galleries, tickets are priced at BDT 300, while most affordable tickets are at Eastern Gallery which costs BDT 200.

For the first time, BCB designated an area as a "Zero Waste Zone", where around 300 seats are available for BDT 600 each.