BCB plans first-class for women

The Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) is planning to hold a franchise-based longer version regional tournament to help women's cricket flourish across the country.

The BCB will introduce a first-class competition for women, resembling the Bangladesh Cricket League, which will initially be played in a two-day format.

''We are planning to host a franchise-based longer version tournament for women cricketers. They usually play in the National Cricket League (NCL), which is a 50-over tournament. We plan to form four zonal teams for the tournament that will continue for two days,'' Nazmul Abedin, team operating manager of the BCB, told reporters at Mirpur on Saturday.

The board is looking to turn the tournament into a three-dayer next season before they eventually transform it into a full-fledged longer-version cricket competition over the next two years, depending on public response and if the maiden season is a success.

Following the Bangladesh women's team's victory in the Asia Cup, the Ireland series and the ICC World T20 qualifier, Nazmul informed that women's cricket has grown in popularity in the country.

"Day by day, we will try to achieve Test status as early as possible. If we attain the status, we will be able to play Test cricket with top-notch teams on a regular basis,'' he said.

Meanwhile, the cricketers will leave for Chittagong tomorrow to participate in an eight week training programme in the port city. Nazmul also informed that the first week of training will focus on fitness while skill and match preparation will follow. The programme will continue until the ICC World T20 tournament begins in November in the West Indies.

Nazmul added that the board is yet to confirm a team who will take part in four to five practice matches in October ahead of the World T20 tournament and that the BCB also plans to reinforce the structure of women's cricket from its roots.

"We have already given a proposal where we are planning to start an under-18 tournament as we did not have any age-level tournaments before. It will help the young cricketers play competitive cricket and represent the senior stage," said Nazmul.