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

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 organized by the board to mark the 25th anniversary on June 26, 2000.

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 first match against India.

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

Honouring Test Cricketers

The Test Honours Board, a first for 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 such as Nayeem Hasan and Nahid Rana are also recognized.

Inauguration and Reunion

Youth and Sports Advisor Asif Mahmud Shojib Bhuiyan officially inaugurated the Honours Board. The event served as a reunion, bringing together many players who participated in Bangladesh's inaugural Test match against India in 2000. However, five members of the original 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 Celebration

The reunion program forms part of a week-long celebration commemorating the 25th anniversary of Bangladesh achieving Test status. A series of events are being held across the nation, including an Under-12 six-a-side tournament in divisional cities, as well as a pacer and spinner talent scouting initiative.

The BCB hosted a reunion to celebrate the 25th anniversary of achieving Test status, recognizing those who laid the groundwork for Bangladesh's journey in red-ball cricket. The ceremony, led by Aminul Islam Bulbul, the country's first Test centurion and current BCB president, also included members of the coaching staff involved in the historic game.

Bulbul stated the celebration served a dual purpose: to commemorate 25 years of Test cricket and to revitalize cricket in various parts of the country.

Habibul Bashar, a late addition to the squad for the inaugural Test, recalled the excitement of receiving his call-up.