Celebration for 25 years of Test status ends

Dhaka, 29 June - 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.BSS