The 2012 Bangladesh Premier League (BPL) was the inaugural season of Bangladesh’s professional Twenty‑20 cricket league, organized by the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB). The tournament ran from 10 February to 24 February 2012 and was hosted primarily at the Sher‑e‑Bangla National Cricket Stadium in Dhaka, with some matches held at other venues within Bangladesh.
Participating franchises
Six city‑based franchise teams competed in the 2012 edition. The franchises were:
- Dhaka Gladiators
- Barisal Burners
- Chittagong Kings
- Khulna Royal Bengals
- Two additional franchises representing other major cities (the specific names of these two teams vary in different contemporary reports).
Tournament format
The competition employed a double round‑robin group stage, after which the top four teams advanced to a knockout phase consisting of two semifinals and a final. The final match was contested on 24 February 2012 at the Sher‑e‑Bangla National Cricket Stadium.
Outcome
- Champions: Dhaka Gladiators (defeated Barisal Burners in the final).
- Player of the Tournament: Shakib Al Hasan (Bangladesh).
- Leading run‑scorer: Shakib Al Hasan – 307 runs.
- Leading wicket‑taker: Rubel Hossain – 15 wickets.
Post‑tournament developments
Following the inaugural season, the BCB temporarily suspended the league amid allegations of match‑fixing and other irregularities involving several players and officials. The suspension led to a restructuring of the franchise model and adjustments to the league’s governance before the next edition was held.
Significance
The 2012 BPL marked Bangladesh’s entry into the global circuit of domestic T20 leagues, attracting international players and increasing commercial interest in cricket within the country. Despite the subsequent controversy, the tournament established a foundation for later BPL seasons, contributing to the development of T20 cricket in Bangladesh.
