Fans of the sport who tune in to watch one of the Bangladesh vs New Zealand ODI matches played in 2026 might have noticed something different about this year’s series: each match will begin at 11 am local time instead of between 12:30 pm and 1:30 pm as they have traditionally.
This decision by the BCB to move up all match times is part of a larger energy conservation policy put forth by the BCB and the Government of Bangladesh to conserve energy during this current energy crisis. Reasons include:
1. To take advantage of natural light
• The start of each match at 11:00 am will allow for games to be completed before sunset (approximate time for sunset is 6:30 PM).
• This will reduce the amount of time stadium floodlights are used during a match.
2. To reduce electricity consumption
• Stadium floodlights require an enormous amount of electrical energy to operate.
• With the current schedule of 12:30 PM-1:30 PM start times, there could have been as much as a 4-hour savings on each match (due to the floodlights being off during part of the later afternoon).
3. To support the national energy policy
• The BCB’s decision to change the start times for all matches is consistent with the efforts of the Government of Bangladesh to (1) manage current fuel/energy shortages, and (2) reduce the peak evening electricity use on the national electricity grid.
Series Schedule Overview
Here’s how the ODI series is lined up:
| Match | Date | Venue | Status |
| 1st ODI | April 17, 2026 | Dhaka | New Zealand won by 26 runs |
| 2nd ODI | April 20, 2026 | Dhaka | In Progress |
| 3rd ODI | April 23, 2026 | Chattogram | Yet to be played |
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T20 Matches Also Rescheduled
This change in format/venue doesn’t only apply to One Day Internationals (ODIs).
The start of the T20 format has been moved earlier to 2:00 PM, enabling matches to be played before darkness and to rely less on floodlights for illumination of the playing surface.
What This Means to Consumers
- Day games will now take place whilst supporters are at work
- Television viewing behaviours may also change as there will likely be fewer supporters watching live at stadiums.
- Due to the current energy crisis, many supporters are in favour of this as it helps mitigate the use of energy.
The Bigger Picture: How Cricket is Responding to the Global Energy Crisis
This is an example of how major sporting events are responding to more pressing issues in the world today than simply providing entertainment. The balance of providing entertainment vs. being sustainable will continue to be increasingly important.
Ending Remarks
The early start of one match within the Bangladesh vs New Zealand T20S is much more than just a minor scheduling change—it is an example of how changing national priorities can have a significant impact on large-scale sporting events.
FAQs
Why are we changing the time of these matches?
To conserve electricity from floodlights and other devices.
Has someone said we need to make these changes?
The Bangladesh cricket board has decided to implement these changes in conjunction with their countries’ energy-saving measures.
How much electricity will we save by moving the match start times?
4 hours of electricity for each match since floodlighting will not be used.
Is this change going to happen for all matches in the series?
Yes, all of the 2026 ODI series between Bangladesh vs New Zealand will start earlier than normal and all T20 matches will begin at 14:00 hours.
Will the time change affect the outcome of the match or playing conditions?
There may be some change in playing conditions, such as:
- Additional heat during the day
- Changes in the way of the pitches
But it is expected that the teams will adapt as required to the changes.
Are other countries doing the same?
The changes are not yet widespread; however, some other countries may also choose to implement similar changes based on their lack of resources or sustainability issues.
