BCB plans NCA programme for U23s, eight countrywide hubs

The Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) announced that they have initiated a major review of the country’s cricket pathway structure, aiming to strengthen grassroots development, age-group cricket and the long-term progression of players and coaches.
BCB made the announcement on Wednesday following a comprehensive discussion on the country’s cricket pathway structure at the Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium on 3 February that was chaired by board president Aminul Islam Bulbul.
Apart from the BCB boss, the session was attended by Directors Nazmul Abedeen Fahim, Khaled Mashud Pilot, Khan Abdur Razzak, Amzad Hussain, CEO Nizam Uddin Chowdhury, Chairman of National Selection Panel Gazi Ashraf Hossain Lipu, Manager, Tournaments Abu Emam Mohammed Kawsar, National Team Senior Assistant Coach Mohammad Salahuddin, BCB Senior Coaches Mizanur Rahman Babul and Shohel Islam, National Selector Hasibul Hossain Shanto, National Team Batting Coach Mohammad Ashraful, BCB High Performance In-Charge Jamal Uddin Babu and Women’s Cricket In-Charge Bulbul Bashar.
During the meeting, BCB discussed the introduction of a National Cricket Academy programme for Under-23 players as part of the broader pathway framework.
“The meeting reviewed the existing structure of grassroots and age-group cricket, assessing its effectiveness and identifying key areas for improvement. Particular emphasis was placed on the need to revisit the age-group selection process and to conduct a thorough evaluation of current age verification procedures to ensure transparency and credibility,” BCB said in a statement.
“Among the major points discussed was the proposal to introduce an incentive system for coaches who successfully develop players within their respective domains. The meeting also highlighted the importance of establishing a comprehensive player database covering all participants in domestic competitions to support long-term planning and performance tracking,” it said.
“Issues related to the salary structure of divisional and district coaches were discussed, along with the need to define a clear and structured career pathway for coaches to ensure professional growth and progression. It was further agreed that a Curriculum Review Committee should be formed to reassess and update the existing coaches’ training and game education curriculum,” it added.

Meanwhile, BCB officials also announced that they are preparing to launch eight cricket hubs across the country, with plans of preparing 137 wickets in the first phase.
The eight hubs will be set up in Khulna, Barishal, Fatullah, Cox’s Bazar, Bogura, Rajshahi, Bangladesh Krira Shikkha Protishthan and Purbachal.
According to the plan, 15 wickets will be prepared in Khulna, 23 in Barishal, eight in Cox’s Bazar, 10 in Bogura, 12 in Rajshahi, 13 in Fatullah, 19 at BKSP’s grounds number three and four, and 13 in Purbachal.  The wickets, covering practice, match and outer grounds, are expected to be ready by May–June as BCB officials insisted that successful implementation of their plan would make district leagues easier to organise from next season.
"From a cricketing perspective, this is a massive initiative. If we can make this work, the first phase will be completed successfully and if we can finish the work by June, leagues outside Dhaka could be organised very smoothly from next season,” BCB director Abdur Razzak said regarding their plan of forming eight cricket hubs, along with increasing number of wickets at different corners of the eight BCB hubs.