The sun rose gently over the green hills of Sylhet, casting a soft golden hue on the city’s international cricket stadium. But this Sunday morning carried something more than just light — it carried the spirit of a celebration 25 years in the making. The air buzzed with excitement, the kind only cricket in Bangladesh can create.
As Bangladesh completed a quarter-century of its journey in Test cricket, the Sylhet International Cricket Stadium transformed into a field of dreams. The Bangladesh Cricket Board, now under the leadership of Aminul Islam Bulbul — the nation’s first Test centurion and newly-appointed BCB president — orchestrated a cricket festival that reached both heart and heritage.
From the earliest hours, the venue welcomed an army of hopefuls — children in white kits, gleaming eyes and eager hearts, imagining themselves as the next Tamim or Mushfiq. Each step they took on the turf was steeped in silent ambition. Some bowled. Some batted. But all dreamed.
The festivities didn’t end on the pitch. Parents and guardians gathered under makeshift shades, many of them joining in cricketing workshops that introduced them to the game their children already loved. Nearby, the commentary booth offered a unique thrill — recreating famous cricket moments through live narration, giving fans a taste of what it means to speak the game into life.
There was a spin and pace hunt for budding bowlers, painting competitions celebrating Bangladesh’s Test history, and a “hit the stump” challenge that triggered laughter and cheers with every near-miss and bullseye. Everywhere you looked, cricket wasn’t just being played — it was being lived.
Aminul Islam spoke with calm authority, laying out his vision for the future. He spoke of decentralising cricket management, investing in the women’s game, and most importantly, igniting a new love for Test cricket among the youth. “We must ensure this format stays alive through the passion of the next generation,” he said, watching over the children as they played.
Local coaches and guardians stood in quiet satisfaction. For them, this wasn’t just an event — it was a seed. “If festivals like this continue,” said one youth coach, “you will see future national players rise from these very grounds.”
Sylhet’s Divisional Commissioner, Khan Md Reza-ul-Nabi, echoed the sentiment. He promised continued support from the administration for cricket’s growth in the region.
And as the sun dipped below the hills and the final prizes were handed out, there was a quiet belief that something important had taken root. Not just the celebration of 25 years of Test cricket, but the hope that white-clad children might one day carry Bangladesh forward — one match, one dream at a time.