Sumon hails ABG University Cup, wants 50-over format

Former Bangladesh captain and BCB chief selector Habibul Bashar Sumon has praised the facilities and playing conditions of the ABG University Cup, describing the tournament as an important initiative to revive university sports culture in the country.

Visiting the Anvir Cricket Stadium at ABG Sports City on Friday, Sumon was impressed by the facilities, playing surface and enthusiasm of the participating universities.

“Extraordinary, extraordinary. The facilities are fantastic, the wicket is brilliant, the outfield is superb and the atmosphere is wonderful. It is really pleasing to see our inter-university games returning. This is very important for our sports culture,” Sumon said.

He also highlighted the importance of providing quality facilities for emerging cricketers, arguing that tournaments of this standard could help produce players for the national team.

“Players used to emerge from university and college cricket. When we played, this was one of the pathways. I think there was a gap in between. If tournaments like this take place, you will see players coming through from here,” he said.

Sumon also suggested expanding the tournament in the future, with a preference for a 50-over competition rather than restricting it to the T20 format.

“I would want this to be a 50-over tournament, not just T20. Currently, we mostly hold T20 tournaments because of time constraints. Universities also have academic pressures, but if time permits, a 50-over format would be great,” he added.

The former national captain also pointed out that the initiative should not be limited to cricket, as football and other sports could play an equally important role in rebuilding the country's university sporting culture.