Expat World Cup 2027 to Bring Bangladeshi Diaspora Cricket Teams from 30 Countries Together
The Expat World Cup 2027, an international amateur cricket tournament designed to unite global Bangladeshi expatriates, was officially announced on Thursday at a ceremony held at The Westin in Dhaka. Organised by AB Media Group, the inaugural edition will feature expatriate cricket clubs from 30 nations, including Australia, the USA, the UK, Saudi Arabia, Japan, and Bangladesh. The tournament’s opening match is scheduled to take place in Australia, while the grand final will be hosted in the United Arab Emirates. Organisers also revealed that the final’s gala night will feature Bollywood superstar Shah Rukh Khan as a special guest.
State Minister for Youth and Sports Aminul Haque attended the launch as chief guest and praised the initiative for strengthening ties with the diaspora. Highlighting the role of sports diplomacy, he stated, ‘The involvement of cricket clubs from 30 countries in this tournament will create new hope and motivation among non-resident Bangladeshis. Centring around sports, it is possible to further strengthen Bangladesh’s connections and diplomatic relations with various nations.’ Citing footballer Hamza Choudhury, the Minister added that expatriate talents could eventually represent the national team, while also noting plans to build stadiums across 495 upazilas nationwide.
Former Bangladesh national cricket team captain Habibul Bashar highlighted the deep emotional resonance of the sport among non-resident Bangladeshis scattered around the world. Emphasising its unifying power, Mr. Bashar remarked, ‘To Bangladeshis, cricket is not merely a sport; it is a powerful bond of emotion, love, and unity. Cricket offers an avenue to unite expatriate Bangladeshis living thousands of miles away, reinforcing their national identity, pride, and solidarity.’ Additional praise came from Bangladesh’s first ODI centurion Mehrab Hossain Opee and former cricketer Javed Omar Belim, who noted that the event would foster a lasting cricket culture globally.
Speaking on the economic impact of the project, Kabir Ahmed Bhuiyan, CEO of AB Media Group, emphasised the potential of leveraging expatriate networks to transform the nation’s youth into skilled human resources, creating international employment opportunities and boosting foreign exchange earnings. Meanwhile, Member of Parliament Sanjida Islam Tuli acknowledged the diaspora’s vital economic contributions through remittances, expressing full support for the project. The ceremony was also attended by key figures including BCB Director Rafiqul Islam Babu, Bangladesh women’s cricketer Jannatul Sumona, and Bangladesh wheelchair cricket team captain Mohammad Mohsin.
AB Media Group Founder and Managing Director Nirjhon Mosharraf expressed gratitude to the Bangladesh Cricket Board for promising maximum support and confirmed ongoing communication with International Cricket Council event managers to ensure smooth execution. He also announced the launch of an OTT platform dedicated to broadcasting the tournament’s matches live to a global audience. Matches are set to span ten host countries, including Australia, the USA, the UK, Italy, Japan, Bangladesh, Oman, Qatar, Malaysia, and the UAE, ensuring a truly global footprint for the pioneering amateur competition.
The core mission of the Expat World Cup 2027 is to bridge the distance between non-resident Bangladeshis and their homeland through shared athletic passion. By integrating cultural exchange with international sports management, the organisers aim to establish a sustainable platform for diaspora engagement. Participating countries span a diverse geographical range, including Canada, Ireland, Sweden, Poland, South Africa, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Afghanistan, Scotland, Germany, Singapore, Maldives, and the Netherlands. Through this massive gathering, the initiative seeks to enhance Bangladesh’s global image while reinforcing lasting cultural ties and interpersonal connections across international borders.
