Bangladesh Cricket Board president Aminul Islam Bulbul has reiterated his commitment to decentralising cricket across the country and revealed their plan to launch a regional Premier League in Rajshahi on Sunday.
Speaking at the inauguration of the nationwide Under-12 Six-a-Side tournament, which was organised as part of the BCB鈥檚 week-long celebrations to mark 25 years of attaining Test status, Aminul stated that the initiative is part of a strategy aimed at expanding cricketing activities beyond the capital.
鈥榃e are planning to decentralise cricket across the country. We want to expand the game to every region,鈥� Aminul told reporters at the Rajshahi Divisional Stadium.
鈥楩irst-class matches are played in Rajshahi occasionally, but we aim to introduce a Premier League across the Rajshahi region.鈥�
The former Bangladesh national team captain, who took charge of the BCB in May, said the board is working to increase grassroots participation and training programmes.
鈥榃e want to explore how more cricket can be played, how players from Rajshahi can join the national team, and how the region can contribute to the advancement of Bangladesh cricket,鈥� he said.
鈥楾raining programmes will be expanded. Currently, one-day tournaments are held at the U-14, U-16, and U-18 levels in Rajshahi. We aim to upgrade those to two-day matches,鈥� he said.
On Bangladesh鈥檚 journey in Test cricket, Bulbul said that they wanted to look forward with Test cricket.
鈥榃e see this 25-year milestone as a launchpad. People in Khulna yesterday and in Rajshahi today have welcomed Test cricket with enthusiasm. As you know, Bangladesh has been a full member of the ICC for 25 years. We want to continue hosting such events,鈥� he added.
According to organisers, the BCB has lined up several activities across seven divisional cities from June 21 to 28 to mark the silver jubilee of Bangladesh鈥檚 Test debut.
The nationwide celebrations began on Saturday at the Khulna Divisional Stadium and continued on Sunday in Rajshahi. The events will move to Sylhet today.
