BCB launches D3 competition to overhaul domestic cricket

The Bangladesh Cricket Board has officially introduced a new domestic competition titled D3, aiming to inject renewed excitement and competitive appeal into the country's domestic structure. Unveiled under the motto \"Bringing colour back to domestic cricket,\" the tournament merges three separate formats into a single unified identity.

Speaking at the launching ceremony held at a city hotel on Sunday, BCB president Tamim Iqbal emphasized that the primary objective of the initiative is to restore the diminishing appeal of domestic cricket. He expressed strong confidence that this structural shift will bring substantial changes to the system.

Tamim acknowledged that domestic fixtures had frequently faced criticism for losing their intensity, sometimes being dismissed as picnic cricket. To counter this, he noted that the board has already introduced the NCL Second XI alongside the ongoing National Cricket League to fortify the foundation.

The newly structured D3 tournament is set to replace the existing NCL T20, Bangladesh Cricket League four-day, and BCL one-day competitions. According to the board chief, eight interested parties have already come forward to bid for ownership of the six participating teams.

Organisers are planning to host the opening T20 tournament across venues in Barishal and Dhaka. Tamim urged the relevant authorities to expedite the remaining infrastructural work at the Barishal venue ahead of the matches.

Additionally, the BCB announced a revenue-sharing model where 50 percent of earnings generated from sponsorships and ticket sales will be distributed directly among the competing teams. State Minister for Youth and Sports Aminul Haque graced the event as the chief guest and formally inaugurated the competition.