History of Bangladesh Domestic Cricket

Domestic cricket represents the depth of cricketing strength for any test playing nation. Bangladesh. being the newest member of the test family, is still at a developing phase in terms of domestic cricket. Bangladesh inherited a rich cricketing history as it was initially part of Bengal and then East Pakistan. Dhaka Stadium (Current BNS) hosted test matches during Pakistan era. After gaining independence it took a while to enter into the world cricketing arena. In 1976-77 an MCC side first toured Bangladesh which was followed by unofficial and official tours by different teams of test playing nations. Bangladesh gained associate membership of International Cricket Council (ICC) in 1976 and in 1979 first participated in the ICC trophy. In 1994-95 England became the first test playing nation to send A team to Bangladesh. Bangladesh enjoyed limited success in ICC trophy and against different touring teams yet cricket gained enormous popularity in Bangladesh. Bangladesh finally won 1997 ICC trophy and qualified for the 1999 World Cup for the first time. After a dream 1999 World Cup in which they defeated Pakistan, Bangladesh gained the test status in 2000.

At the time of gaining test status there was no first class cricket league in Bangladesh. Prior to gaining test status, Bangladesh started a national cricket league involving 12 teams which was not a first class tournament. During that time, Dhaka Premier Cricket League which is a limited over tournament was the main cricket competition in the country. Cricket league was played in almost every district town but all were shorter version of the game.

Bangladesh started its maiden first class competition under the name 'National Cricket League' involving six divisional teams (Dhaka, Chittagong, Rajshahi, Khulna, Barisal and Sylhet) Biman Bangladesh Airlines and Dhaka Metropolitan team from 2000-2001 session. A national one day (list A) league also started from the same season. From 2001-2002 season, National Cricket League involves six divisional teams. These six teams play each other home and away once in a league.

Roll of Honor of National Cricket League (First Class)
1999-2000 Chittagong (not first class)
2000-01 Biman Bangladesh Airlines
2001-02 Dhaka
2002-03 Khulna
2003-04 Dhaka
2004-05 Dhaka
2005-06 Rajshahi



Roll of Honor of National Cricket League (List A)
2000-01 Bisman Bangladesh Airlines
2001-02 Sylhet
2002-03 Khulna
2003-04 Chittagong
2004-05 Rajshahi
2005-06 Rajshahi

The domestic cricket standard of Bangladesh is yet to reach the standard of test playing nations. Over the last five years Bangladesh made significant improvements in the domestic cricket infrastructure and cricketing standard. With current rate of progress it is expected that Bangladesh domestic cricket will reach its desired standard within 5-6 years.