The Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) has launched Domestic-3 (D3), a new franchise-based competition combining T20, List A and first-class cricket from the 2026-27 domestic season. The tournament will replace the BCB’s four-day and one-day competitions, along with the National Cricket League T20.
Six companies have secured three-year franchise agreements. Walton Group, ACME Laboratories, ACE Blue Star, Citizens Bank, Seven Rings Cement and Fortune Group will take part in D3, with the BCB aiming to increase commercial appeal and improve opportunities for domestic players.
Bangladesh Cricket Board Launches Domestic-3 With Six Franchise Owners
The six franchises will compete across all three formats under one structure. The T20 competition is expected to begin around December 15, followed by the four-day leg in January 2027 and the 50-over competition in May.
Bangladesh Cricket Board president Tamim Iqbal said the new model is designed to bring greater interest and continuity to Bangladesh’s domestic cricket. The three formats will now operate as part of one competition rather than separate tournaments.
“The T20 format, one-day format and four-day format will all be under one tournament. This is going to replace the NCL T20, BCL four-day and BCL one-day competitions,” Tamim said at the launch event in Dhaka on Sunday, September 27.
The Bangladesh Cricket Board will retain control over key financial and operational matters, including spending limits and the remuneration of players and coaching staff. Each franchise will reportedly pay BDT 2.5 crore, approximately US$203,283, per season to the BCB, including central match fees.
Six Franchises Pick Icon Players Through Lottery
The franchises selected their designated icon players through a lottery process at the official launch. Mehidy Hasan Miraz will represent Walton Group, while Fortune Group picked Towhid Hridoy.
Mushfiqur Rahim was selected by Seven Rings Cement, while Nurul Hasan Sohan will represent ACE Blue Star. ACME Laboratories chose Mosaddek Hossain, and Citizens Bank picked Mohammad Naim Sheikh.
However, several established Bangladesh internationals were not selected during the initial icon-player phase. Najmul Hossain, Litton Das and Mustafizur Rahman were among those overlooked, while Taskin Ahmed, Shoriful Islam and Tanzid Hasan Tamim also did not receive backing.
The selections were notable because the franchises appeared to focus on players who can remain available throughout the domestic season rather than prioritising international experience alone.
The BCB will hold another player selection event on October 26, with the board expected to choose between a draft and an auction. Each franchise will ultimately build a 23-member squad that will remain together across the T20, List A and four-day competitions.
Tamim Iqbal Explains Player Availability Strategy
Tamim Iqbal said the initial selections should be viewed from the perspective of a long domestic season. He explained that franchises need players who are likely to be available across all three formats rather than those who could be called away for international assignments.
“I think we need to think about it differently because at the end of the day this is a domestic tournament and players availability is very important,” Tamim said.
“I think in the first pick they wanted someone who is available for the whole season like say Naim Sheikh is not playing in the national team and his chances of playing in all three formats is higher than others,” he added.
“We will do a draft or auction on October 26 though I am not sure but one among the two will be in place and our super stars like the fast bowling unit or others will be picked,” Tamim said.
Before the player selection event, the BCB will conduct a management draft, allowing franchises to choose their coaching staff. The T20 leg will feature 19 matches, followed by seven four-day games and 16 matches in the 50-over competition.
Notably, he T20 matches are expected to be played at Barishal Divisional Stadium and the Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium in Mirpur. Meanwhile, Bangladesh’s traditional domestic season will begin on October 3 with the region-based National Cricket League first-class.
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