Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) President Aminul Islam Bulbul has said that the board wants to spread cricket across the country. “We want to discuss how more cricket can be played and how players from Rajshahi can be included in the national team,” he stated.
He made these remarks on Sunday at 10 AM while speaking to journalists during the opening ceremony of the nationwide Under-12 Six-a-Side Cricket Tournament, organized to mark 25 years of Bangladesh’s Test status, held at the Rajshahi Divisional Stadium.
Bulbul said that although first-class cricket is occasionally played in Rajshahi, the board plans to launch a Premier League for the Greater Rajshahi region. “We will increase cricket activities here. Training programs will also be expanded. Already, Under-14, Under-16, and Under-18 one-day tournaments are held here. We plan to convert those into two-day events,” he added.
Regarding Test cricket, Bulbul said, “We want to look forward in Test cricket. We see this as a launch pad. People across Bangladesh—on Saturday in Khulna, and Sunday in Rajshahi—are warmly welcoming Test cricket. As you know, Bangladesh is already a Full Member and has been playing Test cricket for 25 years. We want to keep organizing events like this regularly.”
About the Rajshahi stadium, he remarked, “This ground is so beautiful. Such quality outfields aren’t even available in many countries. The pitch is also excellent. The chairman of the grounds committee (Mahbub Anam) is here. If we can build facilities like this across the country, good outfields will automatically follow.”
According to the organizers, the BCB has planned several activities in seven divisional cities from June 21 to 28 to celebrate 25 years of Bangladesh’s Test status. Among them is the Under-12 Six-a-Side cricket tournament. Each divisional city will also have a designated coach.
A special initiative titled ‘Parental/Free-for-All Coaching Center’ will provide interested parents with basic knowledge about cricket skills and game concepts.
Simultaneously, fast bowler and spinner talent hunts will be organized for students of schools, colleges, and universities. Participants can join by showing their institution ID cards. Each venue will also feature a commentary booth showcasing historic moments from Bangladesh’s Test cricket, and interested spectators can try giving live commentary.
Additionally, there will be a drawing competition where participants can depict historic moments from Bangladesh’s Test cricket. Spectators will also get to participate in a ‘Hit the Stump Challenge’ and share their messages and good wishes on a “Good Luck Wish Board.”
