25-Year Test Status Celebrations Conclude

President of Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) Aminul Islam Bulbul reiterated his promise to decentralize cricket as the celebration for the 25 years of Test status came to an end today. Aminul, also the first Test centurion of the country, and Divisional Commissioner Rayhan Kaosar inaugurated a programme at Jibanananda Das Stadium in Barishal, which was the final destination of the 25-years of Test status event. "We want to take cricket to a new height for which decentralization of  cricket is a must," Aminul said in his speech. "We don't want the budding cricketers to come to Dhaka to hone their skills. We want to create full-fledged facilities in every division and districts to help them flourish their talent from their home ground." Aminul said BCB will appoint coaches in every upazila along with other infrastructure development so that cricketers from grassroots level get the same facilities that a Dhaka cricketer gets. "It is now imperative if we want to bolster our cricketing pipeline. We have so many talented cricketers at the grassroots level. We want to unearth their skill through a proper plan."

On the occasion, Sohag Gazi, Shahriar Nafees, Fazle Rabbi who hailed from Barishal and played in the national team, were also present as special guests. The event to celebrate the silver jubilee of Bangladesh's Test status began on June 21 in Khulna Divisional Stadium. Later, it moved to Rajshahi, Sylhet, Chattogram, Dhaka and Rangpur before its final destination in Barishal. To commemorate this historic milestone, BCB organized Under-12 Six-a-side Cricket Competitions and celebrations in divisional cities across the country. The main aim of this initiative was to increase the popularity of cricket  among the future generations and spread endless joy among people from all walks of life. Tournaments and festivities were held in divisional cities, along with grassroots cricket and interactive fan experiences. In between, BCB also organized a reunion programme with the cricketers who played the first Test for Bangladesh on June 26 last.