Bangladesh Cricket Board Marks 25 Years of Test Status with Honours Board Launch at Sher-e-Bangla Stadium

Bangladesh Celebrates 25 Years of Test Status with Honours Board Unveiling

The Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) commemorated the silver jubilee of achieving Test status with the inauguration of an Honours Board at the Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium. A special program was held to mark the occasion on June 26, 2000, a landmark achievement for Bangladesh cricket.

The Honours Board at the Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium. © BCB

Bangladesh's journey in Test cricket began on November 10, 2000, with their inaugural match against India.

Alongside the Honours Board, a commemorative cabinet was also established, showcasing the various trophies won by Bangladeshi players.

Acknowledging the Pioneers

The Test Honours Board, unveiled at the "Home of Cricket," features the names of all Bangladesh Test cricketers, from Akram Khan and Habibul Bashar Suman to Mashrafe Mortaza, Tamim Iqbal, and Shakib Al Hasan. Current players like Nayeem Hasan and Nahid Rana are also recognized.

Asif Mahmud Shojib Bhuiyan, the Youth and Sports Advisor, officially inaugurated the Honours Board. The event served as a reunion, bringing together many players who participated in Bangladesh's first Test match against India in 2000. However, five members of that historic squad – captain Naimur Rahman Durjoy, Akram Khan, Khaled Mashud Pilot, Manjurul Islam, and Al Shahriar Rokon – were unable to attend due to personal commitments.

Week-Long Celebrations

The reunion program was a central part of the week-long celebrations marking 25 years of Bangladesh's Test status.

Various events are taking place across the country to commemorate this significant achievement in Bangladesh cricket, including an Under-12 six-a-side tournament in divisional cities and a hunt for promising pacers and spinners.

Remembering the Foundation

The BCB hosted a reunion to celebrate the 25th anniversary of the country's Test status, aiming to bring together the individuals who established the foundation for Bangladesh's red-ball cricket. The ceremony was led by Aminul Islam Bulbul, the country's first Test centurion and current BCB president, and included members of the coaching staff who participated in the historic game.

Bulbul stated that the celebration served two purposes: to commemorate 25 years of Test cricket and to revitalize cricket in various parts of the country.

Habibul Bashar, who received a last-minute call-up for the inaugural Test, recalled the excitement of the moment. He emphasized his joy at becoming a Test cricketer.