In an unusual move, international cricket will continue alongside the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026, as New Zealand and Bangladesh gear up for a white-ball series scheduled during the tournament window.
Typically, international fixtures are avoided during the IPL season since players from across the globe participate in the league, and fan attention largely shifts toward the tournament. However, this year marks a departure from that trend, with both New Zealand and Bangladesh proceeding with a bilateral series.
New Zealand Tour of Bangladesh
The New Zealand national team is set to tour Bangladesh for a limited-overs series from April 17 to May 2. The tour will consist of three One Day Internationals (ODIs) followed by three Twenty20 Internationals (T20Is).
Current Team Rankings
New Zealand enters the series as one of the top-ranked teams in world cricket. They currently hold the second spot in the ICC ODI rankings and are placed fourth in the T20 rankings. Bangladesh, meanwhile, is ranked 10th in ODIs and ninth in T20Is, making this series an important opportunity for them to improve their standing.
No Bangladesh Representation in IPL
Interestingly, Bangladesh will not have any players participating in IPL 2026. Although Mustafizur Rahman was initially picked by Kolkata Knight Riders, he was later released following certain concerns. As a result, no Bangladeshi cricketers will feature in this year’s IPL season.
Full Match Schedule
ODI Series:
- April 17 – 1st ODI, Mirpur
- April 20 – 2nd ODI, Mirpur
- April 23 – 3rd ODI, Chattogram
T20I Series:
- April 27 – 1st T20I, Chattogram
- April 29 – 2nd T20I, Chattogram
- May 2 – 3rd T20I, Mirpur
IPL 2026 Timeline
The IPL 2026 season is scheduled to begin on March 28. The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has released the schedule for the initial phase, covering the first 20 matches. The remaining fixtures are expected to be announced soon, as election schedules in several Indian states have influenced the tournament planning.
Originally published on 24×7-news.com.
