The much-anticipated Game Development (GD) Trophy is set to roll onto the ground tomorrow (Friday) as the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) looks to unearth talented cricketers to bolster the country’s cricketing pipeline.
Three aged level teams of the BCB-Under-17, Under-19 and Under-23 will compete in the tournament in an effort to show their talent.
The 50-over tournament will see three teams play other two teams twice in the league phase, with the top two sides advancing to the final on September 9.
The tournament will kick start with the Under-19s taking on the Under-17s on August 28 at 9:30am. The Under-23s will face the Under-19s on August 30, followed by the Under-17s against the Under-23s on September 1.
The second cycle of matches will see the Under-19s play the Under-17s on September 3, the Under-23s face the Under-19s on September 5 and the Under-17s meet the Under-23s on September 7.
“If an Under-17 player takes three wickets or scores 50 against an Under-23 side, his confidence will increase significantly. It will also be a very good platform for us to identify whether he is ready for the next level,” BCB president Tamim Iqbal earlier said of the tournament.
Tamim admitted that playing against Under-23 opposition could prove difficult for the youngest players, but said the challenge itself was important for talent identification.
“They may be bowled out for a very low score, or they may play very well. But if we do not give them this challenge at this age, there is no way for the cricket board or selectors to understand whether there is a special player among them,” he said.
The BCB president said young cricketers are often confined to age-group camps and competitions against players of a similar level, limiting opportunities to assess their potential against stronger opposition.
“This is not just for this season. I have requested the Game Development chairman to make it part of the annual calendar. Similarly, we will try to introduce something like this in women’s cricket as well,” Tamim said.
Awards and prize money will be provided to appreciate the players’ performances.
“Money is not very important to us. Creating the competition is more important,” Tamim added.
Squad:
Under-17: Nayan Babu, Asadullah Hil Galib, Sourav Kormokar, Imran Bhuiyan, Lawrence Roy, Hossain Sheikh (Captain), Rifat Hawladar, Azha Bin Muhib, Yeasin Mojumdar, Mohammad Abudullah, Alif Hasan Likhon, Sakibul Islam, Sifat Ali, Mohammad Majedul and Nur Al Islam Xavi.
Stand By: Bayzid Bostami, Forhad Ahmed, Sujon Mea, Mohammad Iftekhar, Ayman Hossain.
Under-19: Abdullah Al Muhi, Sk Zarif Siyam, Kawsar Ahmed, Ahsan Al Mumin, Farhan Sadki, Adrito Ghosh, Farid Hossain Foysal (captain), Robiul Hasan Anik, Al Rafi, Abdur Rahim, Rubay Islam Rizon, Tafiul Alom Tamim, Sheikh Atiqur Rahman Akash, Shakil Ahmed and Rakibul Hasan.
Stand By: Mazharul Islam Shagor, Al Amin Rony, AJSM Protho Kumar Niloy, Rakib Khan, Shahidul Islam and Mehrab Hasan Sijan.
Under-23: Zawad Abrar, Adil Bin Siddiq, Rifat Beg, Azizul Hakim Tamim, Kalam Siddiki Aleen (captain), Khalid Hasan, Rizan Hossan, Ahrar Amin, Debashis Sarkar Deba, Mohammad Abdullah, Sheikh Parvez Jibon, Mahfuz Rabbi, Nuhayel Sandeed, Shadhin Islam, Mohiuddin Tarek, Rahin Ahmed, Saad Islam Razin and Maruf Mridha.
