The Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) today officially announced that the inaugural Women’s Bangladesh Premier League (WBPL) -- the country’s first-ever franchise-based T20 competition for women -- will take place from April 3-15 this year.

“The opening edition will feature three franchise teams, bringing together leading national cricketers alongside emerging talents. Local players will be selected through a player draft system to ensure competitive balance, squad strength and depth across all teams,” read a BCB press release issued today.

“Franchises will also be permitted to sign overseas professional players, providing an opportunity for international participation, global exposure and enhancement of the tournament’s competitive standard,” it added.

BCB director and chairperson of its Women’s Wing Rubaba Dowla will chair the WBPL Governing Council, which will oversee all organisational matters relating to the tournament.

In its statement, the BCB will share further details regarding the tournament in due course.

Previously, the BCB president Aminul Islam Bulbul had promised to launch the WBPL during his opening speech before the Men’s BPL auction on November 30 last year.