Matches to be held across 10 countries, with Australia hosting the opening game and the UAE staging the final; organisers plan to invite Bollywood superstar Shah Rukh Khan for the grand gala night.
Cricket is set to become a global meeting point for Bangladeshis living abroad as the inaugural Expat World Cup 2027 prepares to bring together cricket clubs from 30 countries.
More than just an international amateur cricket competition, the tournament aims to unite expatriate Bangladeshis, strengthen their ties with their homeland and promote Bangladesh’s image internationally through sports diplomacy.
The tournament was officially unveiled at a grand ceremony at The Westin Dhaka on Thursday (October 22). The event, organised by AB Media Group, featured a cake-cutting ceremony and the unveiling of the Expat World Cup trophy.
State Minister for Youth and Sports Aminul Haque attended the programme as the chief guest. Praising the initiative, he said such an event would encourage expatriate Bangladeshis, who make significant contributions to the country’s economy through remittances.
“Such an initiative is a wonderful opportunity for expatriates. Those who send us remittances deserve initiatives like this, which will encourage them. Bringing cricket clubs from 30 countries together through this tournament will create new hope and enthusiasm among expatriate Bangladeshis. Sports diplomacy can strengthen Bangladesh’s communication and relations with different countries around the world. This initiative will play an important role in projecting Bangladesh’s image internationally while building stronger connections between expatriate Bangladeshis and the country’s cricketers. Just as Hamza Choudhury and others have enhanced the image of Bangladesh football, we hope someone from the expatriate community will go on to represent the national cricket team and further strengthen the country’s image,” he said.
The state minister also announced plans to construct stadiums in all 495 upazilas across the country.
According to the organisers, matches of the tournament will be held across 10 countries: Australia, the United States, the United Kingdom, Italy, Japan, Bangladesh, Oman, the United Arab Emirates, Qatar and Malaysia. Australia will host the opening match, while the final is scheduled to take place in the UAE.
A special gala night will accompany the final, with AB Media Group CEO Kabir Ahmed Bhuiyan revealing that the organisers plan to bring Bollywood superstar Shah Rukh Khan to the event.
Clubs from 30 countries are expected to participate in the inaugural edition. The participating nations include Australia, the United States, the United Kingdom, New Zealand, China, Malaysia, Oman, Canada, Ireland, Sweden, Poland, Italy, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, South Africa, Afghanistan, Scotland, Germany, Singapore, the Maldives, the Netherlands, the UAE, Qatar, Japan and Bangladesh, among others.
Beyond the cricketing competition, the organisers envision the tournament as a platform for broader social and economic engagement.
AB Media Group CEO Kabir Ahmed Bhuiyan highlighted the potential of leveraging the international experience and networks of successful Bangladeshis living abroad to create new employment opportunities for young people at home.
“Bangladesh’s vast young population must be transformed into a skilled workforce through proper training and development. By utilising the international networks and experience of established Bangladeshis living abroad, we can create new employment opportunities overseas. This can increase foreign currency earnings and make a significant contribution to the country’s economic development,” he said.
AB Media Group Founder and Managing Director Nirjon Mosharraf said the event was the result of extensive efforts over a long period. He expressed gratitude to the Bangladesh Cricket Board for assuring its maximum cooperation and praised the government’s pro-sports approach.
He also said the organisers were maintaining regular communication with an ICC event manager to ensure the tournament’s successful completion. To ensure quality broadcasting, the group has also launched an OTT platform, he added.
Former Bangladesh national cricket team captain Habibul Bashar highlighted the unifying power of cricket among Bangladeshis living around the world.
“For Bangladeshis, cricket is not just a game; it is a powerful bond of emotion, love and unity. Through cricket, we can bring together expatriate Bangladeshis living thousands of miles away and strengthen their sense of national identity, pride and solidarity,” he said.
Meherab Hossain Opee, Bangladesh’s first ODI centurion, described the initiative as highly commendable. He expressed optimism that regular organisation of the tournament, alongside collective efforts to develop Bangladesh cricket, could make it a meaningful initiative.
Former Bangladesh cricketer Javed Omar Belim also said the tournament could help develop a cricketing culture among expatriate Bangladeshis while creating opportunities to advance the country’s cricket at the international level.
Member of Parliament Sanjida Islam Tuli acknowledged the contribution of expatriates to Bangladesh’s economy and national development.
“Our economy stands on the remittances sent by expatriates. We also witnessed their contributions during the July Movement. We are grateful to them, and we will certainly stand with this initiative,” she said.
Other speakers at the event included Bangladesh women’s cricket team member Jannatul Sumona, Bangladesh Cricket Board Director Rafiqul Islam Babu, Expat World Cup advisers Afzal Hossain and Belal Uddin Tuhin, sports organiser Masum Bhuiyan, sports personality Shariful Haque Shipon, international sports organiser Rimon Islam and P2P Group Chairman SM Mostafizur Rahman.
MP Sanjida Islam Tuli and Bangladesh Wheelchair Cricket Team captain Mohammad Mohsin were also present, along with other distinguished guests.
The organisers believe the Expat World Cup 2027 will create an international platform connecting expatriate communities through cricket while strengthening cultural ties among people from different countries.
With participation from clubs across 30 nations and matches planned in 10 countries, the tournament promises to be more than a sporting competition. Its success, however, will ultimately depend on how effectively the ambitious vision is translated into action on the field.
