DHAKA: The Bangladesh Premier League (BPL) was opened with a grand colourful ceremony here at the Shere Bangla National Stadium on Thursday.
Bangladesh president was the chief guest at the ceremony who declared the event open.
All the six participating teams paraded before a large crowd in the stadium.
Famous Bangladeshi and Indian singers and artists performed at the stage amidst great applause.
Prominent among the players present on the occasion were West Indians Chris Gayle and Kieron Pollard, Pakistan’s Abdul Razzaq, Sohail Tanvir and Kamran Akmal besides Bangladeshi international cricketers.
The six-team league is to be played in Dhaka and Chittagong from February 10, with the final on February 29.
In all, 33 matches will be played during the 20-day tournament. Two matches will be played on the opening day in Mirpur, Dhaka: First between Barisal Burners and Sylhet Royals, and the second between Chittagong Kings and Duronto Rajshahi.
All the matches of the BPL will be telecast live on Geo Super.
Pakistan's Shahid Afridi, the most expensive foreign player at last month's auction after being sold to the Dhaka Gladiators franchise for $700,000, is not taking part due to international commitments.
Pakistan begin a one-day series against England in the United Arab Emirates this week.
