WBPL 2026: All You Need to Know About Draft Date, Players Categories, and Salary Structure

After a long wait, the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) has officially confirmed the commencement of the Women’s Bangladesh Premier League (WBPL). This would mark the inaugural edition of the league, featuring only three participating teams.

For the first time in Bangladesh cricket history, a new franchise Twenty20 league is set to kickstart for women.

Let’s find out the WBPL 2026 schedule and venue, as well as understand how the selectors have drafted the local cricketers into different categories and salary caps.

WBPL 2026 Schedule and Venues

While the board is yet to reveal the detailed schedule of WBPL 2026, the opening edition of the tournament will take place between 04th and 14th April.

Two hosting venues in Bangladesh are likely to host the high-profile tournament, in Bangladesh which includes:

• Dhaka: Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium
• Chattogram: Bir Shreshtha Matiur Rahman Stadium

WBPL 2026 Draft Date Revealed

The inaugural season of the WBPL draft is officially scheduled on March 14, 2026. Only three teams are participating in the event. Still, it is an opportunity for the emerging talents to collaborate with national cricketers.

Especially, the draft system proves to be the best for local women players to be a part of the prestigious tournament.

Reason Why BCB Preferred Draft System Over Player Auction?

To guarantee a well-balanced and competitive squad, BCB has chosen a draft system rather than a player auction like the IPL. This ensures that each team gets fair opportunities to prove their worth in the first season itself.

Here is why the draft system can prove to be much more promising in the inaugural season of WBPL:

1. Well-Balanced Teams: The distribution of veteran and emerging talents is distributed evenly in a team’s squad. This prevents the franchise from acquiring a majority of top cricketers, which has been a concern in different T20 league auctions.
   
2. Budget Control: While the players bid fluctuates dynamically in auctions, drafts determine the standardized and predictable worth of the players. As a result, young local players get an opportunity to play alongside national stars.
   
3. Simplified Process: Especially for an emerging league in Bangladesh women’s cricket, like the WBPL, the drafts can prove to be easy to manage. Unlike the highly intense bidding war in the auction room, the draft strategy diminishes the complexity.

Explained: 5 Different Categories and Salary Caps for Domestic Players

Local players will be divided into five different categories, starting with the “Icon” as the highest, followed by the ‘A’, ‘B’, ‘C’, and ‘D’ groups respectively.

Here is a detailed breakdown of how the domestic players are categorized along with their salary in Bangladeshi Taka (BDT):

Out of three top-tier national stars placed in the “Icon” category, each franchise will be allowed to choose one icon cricketer.

Proposed Salary Structure for Overseas Players

Compared to the local cricketers, the salaries of overseas star atheltes varies, and here is the proposed structure for the  ‘A’, ‘B’, and ‘C’ categories:

• A Category: $8,000 (BDT 9,78,060)
• B Category: $6,000 (BDT 7,33,545)
• C Category: $3,000 (BDT 3,66,772)

Notably, the salary structure of the foreign players is higher compared to that of the local talents in the above three categories.

Also Read: Harsha Bhogle About Increasing Political Influence in Cricket: Is the Game Losing Its Spirit?

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About WBPL 2026

1. How many overseas players can be included in the WBPL 2026 playing XI and Team Squads?

Each team must include a minimum of four overseas cricketers in its squad, while the playing XI should comprise two foreigners.

Rubaba Dowla, the Chairperson of BCB Women’s Wing, assured that the WBPL will follow the IPL rules and regulations regarding the number of foreign players in the playing XI.

2. Has the Final Categorization List Date Been Released Officially?

So far, the final categorization date has not yet been confirmed. However, Sajjad Ahmed, the chief selector of the women’s team, clarified that the list will be revealed within a few days.

3. What is the franchise fee for participation in WBPL 2026?

The BCB has fixed a participation fee of BDT 30 Lakh and has opened the bidding for the team ownership.

4. Who are the star cricketers confirmed in the Icon Category?

Nigar Sultana, the captain of the Bangladesh women’s team, is included in this category alongside her deputy Nahida Akter. With 2 out of 3 slots being confirmed, the batting maestro Sobhana Mostary’s inclusion is currently under discussion.

5. Are there any chances of Indian players participating in WBPL 2026?

Rubaba Dowla didn’t confirm any chances of Indian players getting ruled out of WBPL 2026. The BCB women’s wing chairperson confirmed that the opportunity is open to all nations and does not impose any restrictions specifically against a nation.

Rubaba clarified that the Women’s BPL governing council and the working body are plotting the best plans to conduct the tournament successfully. However, none of the Indian players have confirmed their participation in the first edition of this league so far.