Mirpur: Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) today launched an Honours Board at the Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium, enlisting the names of every Test cricketer who has played since 2000. The initiative was part of the celebrations marking the silver jubilee of Bangladesh achieving Test status on June 26, 2000, although the inaugural Test match took place on November 10 of that year.
According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, the board features names starting from Akram Khan and includes notable cricketers like Habibul Bashar Suman, Mashrafe Mortaza, Tamim Iqbal, and Shakib Al Hasan, along with current players such as Nayeem Hasan and Nahid Rana. The board inscribes each player's name, debut time, and Test cap number. Adjacent to the Honours Board, a commemorative cabinet displays the trophies won by Bangladesh cricket teams.
Youth and Sports Advisor Asif Mahmud Shojib Bhuiyan inaugurated the Honours Board during a reunion of cricketers from the first Test match. The ceremony was attended by the BCB President, former players, and BCB directors. As part of the week-long celebration of 25 years of Test status, the advisor announced a government initiative to set up 100 turfs in 100 schools to enhance grassroots cricket activities.
The celebrations include various events across the country, such as an Under-12 six-a-side tournament in divisional cities and a pacer and spinner hunt with interactive fan experiences. BCB president Aminul Islam Bulbul, a member of the first Test squad and Bangladesh's inaugural Test centurion, highlighted the dual purpose of these celebrations: to commemorate 25 years of Test cricket and to revitalize cricket, which seemed dormant in several regions.