Day matches introduced as Bangladesh Cricket Board shifts ODI and T20I timings to reduce electricity consumption amid fuel crisis

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The Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) has revised the match timings for the upcoming Bangladesh vs New Zealand men’s white-ball series and the Bangladesh vs Sri Lanka women’s T20I series as part of a nationwide energy-saving initiative.

In a strategic move aligned with the government’s efforts to reduce electricity usage, the BCB has brought forward match start times to maximize daylight and minimize reliance on floodlights. Originally scheduled as day-night fixtures, all three One Day Internationals (ODIs) will now begin at 11:00 AM local time in Dhaka and Chattogram. The matches are expected to conclude by sunset, around 6:30 PM, potentially saving up to four hours of electricity per game.

The men’s T20I series has also seen significant changes. The first two T20Is, initially set for 6:00 PM starts, will now commence at 2:00 PM, while the third match was already scheduled for the same time. These matches are expected to finish by approximately 5:10 PM.

Similarly, the Bangladesh women’s T20I series against Sri Lanka, scheduled to be held in Sylhet on April 28, April 30, and May 2, will now start at 1:30 PM instead of the earlier 6:00 PM timing.

In an official statement, the BCB confirmed that the decision was taken to support the Bangladesh government’s energy conservation efforts. The board emphasized that the revised schedule aims to ensure maximum use of natural daylight during matches.

The Bangladesh vs New Zealand ODI series will kick off with the first two matches in Dhaka on April 17 and April 20, followed by the third ODI in Chattogram on April 23. The T20I series will begin in Chattogram on April 27 and 29, with the final match set to be played in Dhaka on May 2.

Both New Zealand’s men’s team and Sri Lanka’s women’s team are expected to arrive in Bangladesh next week. Their tours come at a time when the country is implementing austerity measures due to the ongoing global fuel crisis, making energy efficiency a key priority for sporting events.

This scheduling shift not only reflects BCB’s adaptability but also highlights cricket’s role in supporting broader national initiatives like energy conservation.