The Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) has introduced several changes to this year’s Third Division qualifying tournament, with a particular focus on giving younger cricketers a platform to showcase their ability. The most notable change is the switch in format, with the competition moving from one-day cricket to Twenty20.
The tournament was formally inaugurated on Saturday in an event that reflected the significance the organisers have attached to the changes. The decision to stage the competition in a more prominent manner is largely linked to the new format and the wider objective of identifying promising players from the domestic circuit.
Previously, the Third Division qualifying tournament was played in the one-day format. From this edition onwards, the matches will be played as T20 fixtures using white balls instead of the red-ball format. The shorter format is expected to provide players with a different competitive environment, requiring them to make an impact within a limited number of overs.
Another significant change is the introduction of an age limit. Players taking part in this year’s tournament must be aged 25 or below. The BCB has brought in the restriction as part of its effort to identify younger talent who could potentially progress through the domestic structure and, where appropriate, come under consideration for age-group teams.
The board has also asked selectors of the age-group teams to attend matches and assess players directly. BCB president Tamim Iqbal has instructed the selectors to watch the tournament from the ground, allowing them to evaluate performances in a competitive setting rather than relying solely on existing records or previous observations.
A total of 70 teams are taking part in the tournament, providing opportunities for around 1,400 cricketers. The competition will feature 151 matches, which are scheduled to be played at grounds in Dhaka and neighbouring areas.
The 70 teams have been divided into 16 groups for the opening stage. Matches in the group phase will be played on a league basis, giving teams multiple opportunities to establish themselves before the knockout rounds begin.
The champions and runners-up from each group will progress to the last 32. From that stage, the tournament will move into a knockout format, meaning each match will carry greater significance as teams compete for a place in the next round.
The last-32 stage will produce 16 winners, who will advance to the following phase. The matches leading to the quarter-finals will also be played on a knockout basis. The eight remaining teams will then contest the quarter-finals, with the winners progressing to the semi-finals.
The two semi-final winners will meet in the final, bringing the competition to a conclusion. With the tournament involving dozens of teams and a large pool of players, the schedule will require matches to be staged across multiple grounds in Dhaka and its surrounding areas.
The Dhaka Cricket Committee of Metropolitan (CCDM) has set a target of completing the qualifying tournament between 25 and 26 October. Alongside determining which teams progress through the competition, the tournament is also intended to give selectors a closer look at young cricketers competing at the grassroots level of Dhaka’s club cricket.