Bangladeshi Women Cricketers Eye Women’s IPL Debut

Three Bangladeshi cricketers—pacer Marufa Akter, all-rounder Swarna Akter, and leg-spinner Rabeya Khan—have entered the 2026 Women’s Premier League (WPL) auction, aiming to make their mark in one of the world’s fastest-growing women’s cricket tournaments.

A total of 277 players registered for the auction, but only 73 will be selected by the franchises. The overseas player quota is limited to 23, meaning that every international player faces competition from at least three other aspirants for a single spot. The auction list was published yesterday, with all three Bangladeshi players set at a base price of 3 million rupees.

The WPL auction categorises players into capped Indian, uncapped Indian, and capped overseas sections. The highest base price in this year’s auction is 5 million rupees, held by 19 players, followed by 11 players at 4 million rupees. The largest group, 88 players, falls in the 3 million rupee category.

Australia leads the international registrations with 23 players, followed by England (22), New Zealand (13), and South Africa (11). Bangladesh and Sri Lanka have three entrants each, with smaller contingents from the UAE, Thailand, and the United States. Eight players, including Deepti Sharma and Renuka Singh, are designated as “mega-auction” players, with base prices ranging from 3 to 5 million rupees.

The fourth season of the WPL, featuring five franchises, is scheduled to begin on 7 January and conclude on 3 February 2026. For Marufa, Swarna, and Rabeya, being selected could not only provide a first experience in a major franchise league but also elevate the profile of Bangladeshi women’s cricket internationally. The upcoming auction will therefore be a pivotal moment in their professional careers, combining opportunity, competition, and exposure on a global stage.