Bangladesh Cricket Board Unveils Honours Board to Mark 25 Years of Test Status

Bangladesh Celebrates 25 Years of Test Status with Honours Board Installation

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 on June 26, 2000, marking this significant milestone.

The Honours Board at the Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium. © BCB

Bangladesh played its first Test match against India on November 10, 2000. To further mark the occasion, a commemorative cabinet was placed beside the Honours Board, displaying trophies won by Bangladeshi players.

The Test Honours Board features the names of all Bangladeshi Test cricketers, from Akram Khan to Habibul Bashar Suman, Mashrafe Mortaza, Tamim Iqbal, and Shakib Al Hasan. Current players such as Nayeem Hasan and Nahid Rana are also included.

Youth and Sports Advisor Asif Mahmud Shojib Bhuiyan officially inaugurated the Honours Board. The event served as a reunion for many players who participated in Bangladesh's inaugural Test against India in 2000. However, Naimur Rahman Durjoy, Akram Khan, Khaled Mashud Pilot, Manjurul Islam, and Al Shahriar Rokon were unable to attend due to personal reasons.

The reunion was part of a week-long celebration of the country's 25 years of Test status. Celebratory events are being held across the nation, including an Under-12 six-a-side tournament in divisional cities, and a pacer and spinner talent search.

The BCB hosted this reunion to honor the men who established the foundation for Bangladesh's Test cricket journey. The ceremony was led by Aminul Islam Bulbul, the country's first Test centurion and current BCB president, and included members of the coaching staff from the historic game.

Bulbul stated the celebration aimed to commemorate 25 years of Test cricket and to revitalize the sport in regions where it has been less active.

Habibul Bashar recalled the excitement of being called up to the team at the last moment. "I wasn't supposed to play... I was just happy to tell myself that I'm going to be a Test cricketer," he said.