Women's test not ready in five years, wait even longer

On the same day that the men's match fee increase was announced, BCB President Tamim Iqbal announced an increase in the remuneration of women cricketers in first-class cricket. In addition, plans to prepare the Bangladesh women's team for Test cricket in the future have also been announced. However, to the disappointment of women cricketers, they have been hearing such promises for almost five years.

Although the women's teams of full ICC member countries were granted Test status in April 2021, Bangladesh has not yet been able to utilize that opportunity. Despite having the status, the lack of preparation for playing Tests on the field or regular long-range cricket is clear.

In the last five years, there have been only two long-range tournaments in women's cricket in Bangladesh. The Women's Bangladesh Cricket League started in 2023, where the three teams - Padma, Meghna and Jamuna - played two-day matches. Since it was a two-day match, that competition did not get first-class status.

Then, at the beginning of last year, the Women's BCL was organized with four regions. There, the length of the match was increased to three days, as a result of which the competition created new possibilities in long-range cricket, but then again there was a long break for women cricketers to play such matches.

Former women's team captain Rumana Ahmed said that staying away from Test cricket is disappointing.

She said that Test is the most beautiful and challenging form of cricket. It is a dream for any cricketer. But even after all these years of getting Test status, Bangladesh women's cricket has not seen enough preparation or planning for it.

Bangladesh women's team chief selector Sajjad Ahmed also believes that it is difficult to assess whether cricketers are ready for Tests without playing long-term matches. There is no alternative to regular first-class cricket to master the session-based planning, mentality and tactics of Test cricket.

Fitness is also a big challenge. According to Rumana, cricketers need to play regular long-term matches to build physical capacity like playing four-day cricket. It is difficult to build that preparation if you are away from such cricket for almost two years.

However, the BCB is now planning to increase long-term matches in women's cricket. There is an initial thought of organizing a three-day Women's BCL in April next year. Plans are also being made to increase the number of matches in the competition.

The success of the Bangladesh men's team in the Test is also said to be increasing the interest in introducing this version in women's cricket. Initially, the first Test of the Bangladesh women's team is being considered in 2028. The name of Pakistan has also been discussed as a possible opponent and it is said that there have been initial discussions between the two boards in this regard.

However, the reality is that the debut of the Bangladesh women's team in Test cricket is still a long way off. First, a framework of regular first-class cricket, sufficient matches, improved fitness and long-term preparation will have to be created. Therefore, even after five years of getting Test status, the wait for the biggest dream of Bangladesh women cricketers is getting longer.