Bangladesh’s 20th anniversary of Test status
Agency :
On Friday marked the 20th anniversary of Bangladesh’s Test status. On this occasion, let’s dive into the history of how Bangladesh became a Test-playing nation.
After the Liberation War, the Bangladesh Cricket Control Board (BCCB) was established in 1972. A cricket league commenced in Dhaka and Chattogram (then Chittagong) shortly after that. The start was a bit slow as the other fundamental needs were being prioritized in the war-torn country.
ICC Champions in 1997
Bangladesh prepared well under coach Gordon Greenidge ahead of the 1997 ICC Trophy. Aminul Huq Moni, the then General Secretary of Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB), took the initiative to install Astro Turf at Abahani Cricket Ground and Bangabandhu National Stadium so that the players had two full seasons to prepare on the very type of pitch they’d be playing in the ICC Trophy 1997. Bangladesh also became a regular ICC member with the right to play ODIs and started hosting bilateral and triangular tournaments. Bangladesh went on to become the champions of the 1997 ICC Trophy beating Kenya in the final, thus securing a spot in the 1999 ICC Cricket World Cup. The successful campaign was instrumental in creating a passionate fan base back home and it helped the cause of acquiring the Test status.
1999 ICC Cricket World Cup and gaining the Test status
Bangladesh played their first-ever World Cup in 1999 in England and recorded their first win against Scotland. Later, Bangladesh caused an enormous upset by beating Pakistan by 62 runs at Northampton. This incredible result and the huge fan following back home prompted ICC to grant Bangladesh Test status. The ardent support of Jagmohan Dalmiya, the then president of BCCI, also helped the cause big time. Bangladesh gained Test status on 26 June, 2000. They played their inaugural Test match on 10 November 2000, hosting India in Dhaka.
The most awaited moment
Bangladesh were led by Naimur Rahman. Sourav Ganguly’s India defeated them by nine wickets, although Bangladesh surpassed all expectations by matching their neighbours at times in the match. Aminul Islam Bulbul scored a dogged 145 off 380 balls in the first innings, spending close to nine hours in the middle, thus becoming the third person ever to score a hundred on his team’s debut Test match.
Bangladesh could, by no means, live up to expectations in the longest form of the game. But they have shown glimpses of brilliance of late and some wins under their belt can really inspire them to make a mark in Test cricket as well.
On Friday marked the 20th anniversary of Bangladesh’s Test status. On this occasion, let’s dive into the history of how Bangladesh became a Test-playing nation.
After the Liberation War, the Bangladesh Cricket Control Board (BCCB) was established in 1972. A cricket league commenced in Dhaka and Chattogram (then Chittagong) shortly after that. The start was a bit slow as the other fundamental needs were being prioritized in the war-torn country.
ICC Champions in 1997
Bangladesh prepared well under coach Gordon Greenidge ahead of the 1997 ICC Trophy. Aminul Huq Moni, the then General Secretary of Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB), took the initiative to install Astro Turf at Abahani Cricket Ground and Bangabandhu National Stadium so that the players had two full seasons to prepare on the very type of pitch they’d be playing in the ICC Trophy 1997. Bangladesh also became a regular ICC member with the right to play ODIs and started hosting bilateral and triangular tournaments. Bangladesh went on to become the champions of the 1997 ICC Trophy beating Kenya in the final, thus securing a spot in the 1999 ICC Cricket World Cup. The successful campaign was instrumental in creating a passionate fan base back home and it helped the cause of acquiring the Test status.
1999 ICC Cricket World Cup and gaining the Test status
Bangladesh played their first-ever World Cup in 1999 in England and recorded their first win against Scotland. Later, Bangladesh caused an enormous upset by beating Pakistan by 62 runs at Northampton. This incredible result and the huge fan following back home prompted ICC to grant Bangladesh Test status. The ardent support of Jagmohan Dalmiya, the then president of BCCI, also helped the cause big time. Bangladesh gained Test status on 26 June, 2000. They played their inaugural Test match on 10 November 2000, hosting India in Dhaka.
The most awaited moment
Bangladesh were led by Naimur Rahman. Sourav Ganguly’s India defeated them by nine wickets, although Bangladesh surpassed all expectations by matching their neighbours at times in the match. Aminul Islam Bulbul scored a dogged 145 off 380 balls in the first innings, spending close to nine hours in the middle, thus becoming the third person ever to score a hundred on his team’s debut Test match.
Bangladesh could, by no means, live up to expectations in the longest form of the game. But they have shown glimpses of brilliance of late and some wins under their belt can really inspire them to make a mark in Test cricket as well.