The Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) has officially unveiled a new competitive structure for domestic cricket, introducing the ‘Domestic Three’ or ‘D3 Trophy.’ Announced during a high-profile event at a Dhaka hotel on Sunday night, this initiative aims to streamline and elevate the standard of local competition by integrating three distinct formats under one tournament umbrella. State Minister for Youth and Sports, Asif Mahmud Shojib Bhuyain, formally inaugurated the project, which marks a significant shift in the country’s cricketing landscape.
Tournament Format and Structure
The D3 Trophy will feature six franchises that will compete in four-day matches, 50-over ODIs, and T20s. This structure replaces previous domestic iterations such as the Bangladesh Cricket League (BCL) and the National T20 League. Importantly, the tournament will complement rather than replace established pillars like the National Cricket League (NCL) and the Dhaka Premier League (DPL), which will continue to operate independently. In total, the D3 tournament will host 42 matches across the three versions: 19 T20s, 16 50-over matches, and seven four-day fixtures.
Franchise Ownership and Icon Players
BCB officials confirmed that eight organizations initially expressed interest, with six eventually securing three-year ownership rights. The participating teams are Ace Bluestar, Walton Group, Citizen Bank, Acme Group, Seven Rings Cement, and Fortune Group. Notably, three of these franchises—Acme Group, Fortune Group, and Ace Bluestar—are owned by current BCB directors Fahim Sinha, Mizanur Rahman, and Shanian Tanim. Each team has already designated an icon player: Nurul Hasan Sohan (Ace Bluestar), Mehidy Hasan Miraz (Walton Group), Mushfiqur Rahim (Seven Rings Cement), Mosaddek Hossain (Acme Group), Towhid Hridoy (Fortune Group), and Mohammad Naim Sheikh (Citizen Bank).
Player Selection and Operational Logistics
- The official players’ draft is scheduled for October 26, where each team will assemble a 23-player squad tailored to cover all three formats.
- Beyond just players, the draft will also include coaches, physios, trainers, and analysts to ensure full professional support.
- A specific ‘Management Draft’ is set for the upcoming Tuesday to finalize support staff.
- Players selected during the draft are contracted for three years, though a ‘mini-auction’ system will be implemented before each season, allowing for player trades between teams.
Scheduling and Financial Framework
The tournament is slated to commence with the T20 segment on December 15, hosted in Barisal. Following this, the four-day matches will take place in January, while the 50-over competition is scheduled for May. Regarding compensation, the BCB has mandated a standardized pay structure consistent with their recent financial regulations: 150,000 BDT for first-class matches, 100,000 BDT for 50-over matches, and 80,000 BDT for T20s. While team owners and the BCB share operational costs, the franchises will receive 50 percent of the tournament’s revenue generated from sponsorships and ticket sales, providing a sustainable incentive for the club owners involved in this ambitious venture.
