Four-team T20 tournament to begin in Chattogram

Chattogram will launch a four-team T20 tournament on 16 September in a bid to revive the port city’s fading cricketing fortunes and restore its reputation as a breeding ground for national stars.

The pre-season tournament, being supervised by Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) director Minhajul Abedin Nannu, will bring together four zonal teams: Ispahani Karnafuli, Sampan, Bhulua and Fortis Moynamoti.

All matches will be played at the divisional stadium, with each team required to field two Under-19 players as part of an initiative to accelerate youth development and unearth new talent.

Sampan sponsor and BCB director Sayeed Ibrahim Ahmed mentioned on Sunday that the tournament was aimed at creating opportunities for local cricketers while rebuilding public interest in the sport.

“Our aim is to create opportunities for players through competitive cricket and further increase the local public’s interest and love for the sport,” Ahmed wrote on Facebook.

“Leagues may stop, but our love and initiative for cricket will not,” he added.

Chattogram has a rich cricketing heritage and has produced several national stars, including Tamim Iqbal. Organisers hope the new tournament will help revive that tradition by providing regular competitive cricket for players in the region.

The tournament will run from 16 to 19 September, with the final scheduled for 21 September.