BCB unveils 'Green Cap' for first-class debutants

The Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) has unveiled a series of reforms aimed at enhancing the stature of domestic first-class cricket, including the introduction of a 'Green Cap' for players making their first-class debut from the upcoming National Cricket League (NCL) season.

Inspired by the long-standing tradition of awarding green caps to Test debutants, the initiative is designed to give first-class cricketers formal recognition and strengthen the prestige of Bangladesh's premier red-ball competition.

BCB Tournament Committee Chairman Sirajuddin Mohammad Alamgir confirmed the decision, saying the board hopes the symbolic honour will inspire players and reinforce the importance of first-class cricket in the country's development pathway.

The move is part of a broader overhaul of the domestic structure introduced under the newly elected BCB leadership headed by Tamim Iqbal.

The upcoming domestic season is expected to begin with the National Cricket League, while the schedule is being restructured to accommodate several new competitions.

Among the major additions is the NCL Minor League, which will begin within a week of the main tournament. Modelled on England's county cricket system, the competition is intended to provide regular match opportunities for players outside the starting XI and strengthen the domestic talent pipeline.

The BCB is also planning to allow one overseas player in each NCL team, with discussions already underway with several foreign cricket boards to facilitate the initiative.

In another significant development, the board is preparing to launch a new 'Rising Tigers' tournament for Under-23 cricketers later this year. The competition will follow the board's recent decision to replace the High Performance (HP) Unit with a national Under-23 programme and is expected to serve as a key platform for identifying future Bangladesh internationals.

The reforms reflect the BCB's wider strategy to modernise domestic cricket and create a stronger pathway from age-group competitions to the national team.