How Did the Bangladesh National Cricket Team Rise to Test Status?

July 8, 2025: The Bangladesh national cricket team began their international journey as an associate member of the International Cricket Council (ICC) in 1977. Competing in six ICC Trophies — the top limited-overs competition for non-Test nations — Bangladesh made their debut at the 1979 ICC Trophy in England.

Their first official One Day International (ODI) came in March 1986 when they faced Pakistan during the Asia Cup. However, their true breakout moment arrived in 1997, when Bangladesh clinched the ICC Trophy in Malaysia. The historic win earned them a place in the 1999 Cricket World Cup, where they stunned the world by defeating Pakistan in one of the tournament’s biggest upsets. They also registered a win against Scotland in the same event.

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In June 2000, Bangladesh’s consistent rise was rewarded with full ICC membership. Later that year, they played their inaugural Test match against India in Dhaka in November, officially becoming the tenth Test-playing nation. Bangladesh impressed early by scoring over 400 runs in the first innings, though they eventually lost by nine wickets.

This marked the beginning of a new era for Bangladesh cricket, transforming them from underdogs into a full-fledged force on the global stage.