A Quiet Question at the Centre of Bangladesh Cricket: Blockchain Registration

My pen usually writes stories from the pitch. Today I am going to a slightly different place. The subject is cricket, but beyond the field.

In July 2026, the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) launched a pilot project. It was called blockchain-based player registration. The core idea is simple: a player's identity, transfer history, contract terms, and financial transaction records will be stored in a permanent digital ledger. No one can alter that record silently.

The first step targeted domestic cricket. Players in the Bangladesh Premier League (BPL) and domestic tournaments have been registered on that platform. The central issue is transfers. Cricketers often play for one team in one season and another in the next. The project aims to make clear which player is with which team, who is breaching a contract, and who is retiring legitimately.

Around me, discussion of this project at tea stalls is very rare. Why? Because it is invisible. Spectators go to the ground and enjoy a six, but the record-keeping work does not catch the eye. Still, it matters.

How does blockchain work? In simple terms, it is a decentralized ledger. Once a piece of information is written, it cannot be changed. Each new transaction is linked in a block. This creates a chain. If someone wants to alter a block, the entire chain must be broken, which is nearly impossible. This feature makes blockchain trustworthy.

Its importance in Bangladesh is twofold. Contract disputes often arise in the BPL. Some say their contract is invalid; others say the board has not paid properly. The root of these disputes is ambiguity. Blockchain can reduce that ambiguity.

However, a caution is necessary. It would be wrong to think blockchain will solve every problem. Bangladesh cricket's problems almost always lie outside technology. Selection committee transparency, financial management, players' mental health — technology alone cannot fix these.

My experience tells me that when new technology enters cricket, there are two kinds of reactions. One group becomes excited; another becomes skeptical. The same is happening with blockchain. Some cricket experts say it will increase BPL transparency. Others say it will only simplify paperwork, while the real problems remain unchanged.

I personally believe the blockchain project is one step, not the whole road. If the BCB treats it merely as a technology showcase, nothing will happen. But if it uses it as a tool for transparency and discloses more information, there is potential.

Other cricket boards around the world have moved in this direction. In Australia, blockchain has been used in some domestic tournaments. In India, several IPL teams have used the technology for contract storage. Bangladesh is a bit behind here, but has started.

Consider a practical example. A young cricketer gets a chance in the BPL. Their contract is registered on the blockchain. Later, another team approaches them. But the previous contract is still valid. Earlier, this issue would have caused disputes and sometimes lawsuits. Now the record is visible to everyone. A solution can be found before a dispute begins.

But one point must be accepted — technology never replaces human trust. Blockchain keeps records accurate, but it does not guarantee the honesty of the people behind the record. If someone enters wrong information in the first place, blockchain will preserve that wrong information.

Another issue — data privacy. Whether players' personal information, contract amounts, and similar details should be made public needs discussion. Transparency matters, but personal privacy matters equally.

As a cricket fan of Bangladesh, I am optimistic. Because this project shows that the BCB is at least thinking about the future. Efforts are being made to address problems by going deep into domestic cricket. This is a positive change.

However, I have a question. Blockchain registration has started in domestic cricket. But when will this technology enter international cricket? Records of contracts and financial transactions in World Cups, Asia Cups, and bilateral series also need to remain transparent.

The role of blockchain technology in Bangladesh cricket's future will depend on the BCB's commitment. If they treat it merely as a fashionable word, nothing will happen. But if they use it as a tool for transparency and accountability, Bangladesh cricket can move a step forward.

Final words — cricket is a game on the field, but many games also happen outside it. Blockchain can make those outside games a bit easier. May we fans be able to see that possibility.

References

• Bangladesh Cricket Board. (2026). Blockchain-based player registration project. Dhaka: BCB.
• BPL Committee. (2026). Digital record management in domestic cricket. Dhaka: BCB.
• Cricket Australia. (2026). Pilot project on blockchain technology usage. Sydney: Cricket Australia.
• IPL Franchise Association. (2026). Blockchain application in contract storage. Mumbai: IPL Franchise Association.
• Bangladesh Cricket Board. (2026). Player registration and contract management policy. Dhaka: BCB.