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The Bangladesh national cricket team is governed by the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB). Bangladesh, a Full Member of the International Cricket Council (ICC), holds Test, ODI, and T20I status.
Known as The Tigers, Bangladesh became an associate member of the ICC in 1977 and participated in six ICC Trophies, showing inconsistent performances until 1997. However, they made a significant impact in 1997, winning the ICC Trophy in Malaysia. Notably, this success paved the way for them to become a Test-playing nation in 2000.
Bangladesh played their first-ever test match against India in November 2000, losing by nine wickets in Dhaka. They thus became the 10th Test-playing nation. Bangladesh’s cricketing journey began with the 1979 ICC Trophy in England. They played their first ODI match on March 31, 1986, against Pakistan in the Asia Cup. Following their 1997 ICC Trophy triumph, Bangladesh earned qualification for the Cricket World Cup in 1999 for the first time. Additionally, Bangladesh were granted full ICC membership on June 26, 2000.
Bangladesh cricket team holds an unwanted record for the most consecutive losses in Tests (21, from 2001 to 2004) and ODIs (23, from 1999 to 2002). Their first-ever Test victory came against Zimbabwe in 2005, where they also secured their first Test series win. Bangladesh achieved their first overseas Test series win in 2009, defeating the West Indies in two matches.
As of August 2024, Bangladesh have played 143 Tests, winning 20 matches. They played their 100th Test against Sri Lanka in March 2017 and won the match by four wickets. As of May 2024, they have played 438 ODIs and won 159. They played their 100th ODI against India in 2004 and won, followed by their 200th ODI against West Indies in 2009, in which they also triumphed. Meanwhile, their 300th ODI was a quarter-final match in the 2015 World Cup against India, in which they lost, and in their 400th ODI against Zimbabwe, they won. Additionally, they secured their 100th ODI win against Afghanistan at home in October 2016.
In T20Is, they so far played 176 matches, winning 68, with their 100th T20I against Zimbabwe in July 2021 which they won. Bangladesh’s major achievements included reaching the quarter-finals of the 2015 ICC Cricket World Cup after defeating England and advancing to the semi-finals of the 2017 ICC Champions Trophy. In addition, they emerged as runners-up in three Asia Cups—in 2012, 2016 and 2018. In the following year, Bangladesh clinched their first recognized multi-team trophy by winning the Ireland Tri-Nation Series. As of September 2024, Bangladesh is ranked 9th in Tests, 8th in ODIs, and 9th in T20Is by the ICC.
History
20th century
In 1977, Bangladesh gained the ICC Associate Membership. Meanwhile, in 1979, they participated in the inaugural ICC Trophy, where they won two matches but did not advance past the first round.
In February 1984 they won in the South-East Asian Cricket Conference Tournament and later qualified for the 1986 Asia Cup. They played their first ODI against Pakistan on March 31, 1986, and suffered a seven-wicket defeat after being dismissed for 94 runs. They have also qualified for the 1988 Asia Cup (ODI tournament) at home but lost all matches.
They ended a 22-match losing streak in 1998 with an ODI win over Kenya. Meanwhile, they served as hosts for the inaugural ICC KnockOut Trophy in 1998. They have qualified for the 1999 Cricket World Cup after their triumph in the ICC Trophy. During the World Cup, Bangladesh achieved a notable victory against Pakistan in their first match. In the 2000 Asia Cup, Bangladesh lost all three matches, including a significant defeat against Pakistan by 233 runs.
First years as a Test team (2000–2003)
Bangladesh played their inaugural Test match on 13 November 2000, hosting India in Dhaka. Mehrab Hossain scored the first Test run for the team, and he also hit the first ODI hundred in 1999. Meanwhile, under Naimur Rahman’s captaincy, Bangladesh lost their inaugural Test by nine wickets.
In March 2001, Bangladesh named Trevor Chappell was appointed as their new coach. However, in their tour of Zimbabwe the same year, they lost all five matches (two Tests, three ODIs). Bangladesh participated in the Asian Test Championship (2001-02), losing both matches by an innings. In 2002, they lost in the away series against New Zealand and the home series against Pakistan. In April 2022, Mohsin Kamal replaced Trevor Chappell as coach.
Later, Bangladesh suffered heavy defeats against Sri Lanka, including an innings and 196 runs in one Test, and were knocked out in the 2002 ICC Champions Trophy. Their struggles continued as they lost both Test and ODI series against South Africa, setting a record for most consecutive ODI losses (23). Meanwhile, they lost five out of six matches, including to Canada and Kenya in the 2023 Cricket World Cup. Following these setbacks, Mohsin Kamal was sacked and Dav Whatmore was appointed as coach.
Under Dav Whatmore (2003–2007)
In 2003, Bangladesh lost all two Tests and three ODIs against Australia before being whitewashed, losing 3-0 in Tests and 5-0 in ODIs in Pakistan. In the same year, they lost both Tests and all three ODIs versus England.
Earlier in 2004, Bangladesh lost the Test series 1-0 against Zimbabwe but secured its first ODI win against India during their tour in December 2004. In 2006. Bangladesh recorded their first ODI win at home against Sri Lanka but lost both series in Tests and ODIs. In the same year, they failed to progress past the group stage of the ICC Champions Trophy. However, they won their first T20I match against Zimbabwe in November 2006. In the following year, Bangladesh stunned India with a five-wicket win in their first match and advanced to the Super Eights of the World Cup.
Under Shaun Williams (2007)
Shaun Williams was appointed as interim coach after Dav Whatmore in 2007. During his tenure, Bangladesh lost all three Tests and three ODIs against Sri Lanka and set a then-lowest Test total of 62 in the second Test. In the 2007 ICC World Twenty20 they achieved a victory over West Indies but lost the remaining matches, including four in the Super 8 stage.
Under Jamie Siddons (2007–2011)
In October 2007, Jamie Siddons was appointed as head coach. They have lost series against New Zealand [ODIs (3-0) and Tests (2-0)], and South Africa. Interestingly, Bangladesh won 3-0 in the ODI series against Ireland, ending a streak of 14 losses.
In the 2008 Asia Cup, they won against UAE but lost all Super Four matches. Meanwhile, in the 2009 ICC World Twenty20, they were eliminated in the group stage after losing to India and Ireland. In the 2011 World Cup, Bangladesh lost the opener against India, and won against Ireland, but set a lowest score of 58 against the West Indies.
Under Stuart Law (2011–2012)
Stuart Law became head coach and Shakib Al Hasan was removed as captain; Mushfiqur Rahim replaced him. In the 2012 Asia Cup, Bangladesh reached the final, defeating India and Sri Lanka, but lost to Pakistan by two runs in the summit clash.
Under Richard Pybus (2012)
After Richard Pybus’ appointment as head coach, Bangladesh exited in the group stage after losses to New Zealand and Pakistan in the World Twenty20. He resigned after four months due to contract issues.
Under Shane Jurgensen (2012–2014)
Shane Jurgensen was appointed as interim head coach in November 2012 and later officially named head coach in February 2013. In the 2014 Asia Cup, Bangladesh finished last in the group stage with a record of 0–4. They have Won only 2 out of 7 matches; lost all Super 10 stage matches in the World T20 and the coach resigned following this tournament.
Under Courtney Walsh (2018)
Courtney Walsh was named as interim coach for the Nidahas Trophy. Bangladesh have lost to India in the tournament final. Meanwhile, they entered the top eight of Test rankings for the first time on 1 May 2018.
Under Steve Rhodes (2018–2019)
Bangladesh reached the 2018 Asia Cup final only to suffer a defeat against India by three wickets. Meanwhile, in the 2019 Cricket World Cup, they failed to excel, finishing 8th in the group stage.
Disappointing 2021 T20 World Cup Campaign
Bangladesh began their World Cup campaign with a defeat to Scotland by six runs, marking their first defeat to an associate nation. They registered victories over Oman and Papua New Guinea, which saw them qualify for the Super 12 stage. In the Super 12 stage, Bangladesh lost all five matches against ICC Full Member nations and were knocked out of the tournament before their last group match.
2022 Asian Games & 2023 Cricket World Cup
Bangladesh participated in the postponed 2022 Asian Games in 2023 and won the bronze medal after outplaying Pakistan by 6 wickets using the DLS method. On the same day, they beat Afghanistan in the 2023 ICC Cricket World Cup. Interestingly, they became the second team (after Pakistan) to play two different international matches with different lineups on the same day and the first to win both.
In 2023, Bangladesh achieved a historic victory in the first Test against New Zealand by 150 runs—marking their first Test win over the Kiwis on home soil. In addition, they made headlines again in August 2024 by achieving a remarkable 2-0 whitewash in Pakistan.
Honours
ACC Asia Cup
- Runners-up: 2012, 2016, 2018
Asian Games
- Gold Medal: 2010
- Bronze Medal: 2014, 2022
South Asian Games
Gold Medal: 2010, 2019
Bangladesh Women’s Cricket Team
The Bangladesh women’s cricket team represents Bangladesh in women’s international cricket. The team made their international debut in July 2007 and subsequently won the 2007 ACC Women’s Tournament.
Bangladesh was granted ODI status in November 2011 after finishing fifth in the ICC Women’s World Cup Qualifier. They then qualified for the 2014 ICC Women’s T20 World Cup as hosts, marking their first appearance in a major international tournament. They have participated in every edition of the Women’s World Twenty20 since 2014. In addition, in April 2021, the ICC awarded permanent Test and ODI status to all full member women’s teams, including Bangladesh.
History
Bangladesh women won the ACC Women’s T20 Asia Cup in 2018, defeating India in the final, becoming the first team other than India to win the title in the continental championship. Meanwhile, they hosted the 2022 Women’s Twenty20 Asia Cup and finished in 5th place with 2 wins, 3 losses, and 1 no-result from 6 matches.
They made their debut in the ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup in 2022. They finished 7th in the tournament, securing their only win against Pakistan. Bangladesh’s qualification also earned them a spot in the 2022–2025 ICC Women’s Championship.
At the 2023 ICC Women’s T20 World Cup, Bangladesh qualified for the tournament by winning the 2022 qualifying tournament. They had a disappointing campaign, losing all matches in Group A.
Honours
ACC Women’s Asia Cup
- Champions: 2018
Asian Games
- Silver Medal: 2010, 2014
- Bronze Medal: 2022
South Asian Games
- Gold Medal: 2019