Bangladesh aim for national women's side

Tajkia Akhter topscored for Dhaka with 38 © TigerCricket.com Enlarge

Bangladesh's first cricket tournament got underway on Saturday, with three matches across the country. Ten teams are taking part in the domestic championship, and the selectors will use the matches to scout for the national squad, with 30 places up for grabs.

An international side has never represented Bangladesh before, apparently because of a lack of interest from players and organisers. But the 30-over tournament, which runs throughout February, could help to change that situation. Hamida Begum, who is on the cricket board, confirmed: "Our objective is to build a women's national cricket team. We will also invite foreign teams to play in the country."

"Our girls have come a long way, overcoming sports and social barriers," Parveen Putul, Dhaka's coach added. "They played well in practice matches, and they now have the confidence to take it up as a career." There has been no opposition to the women's tournament, the organisers confirmed.

In Saturday's inaugural match, between Dhaka and Ansar, the players wore similar clothing to the men - trousers and T-shirts.

Bangladeshi women compete in most sports, and have won medals in international swimming, shooting and martial arts events. In the past, wrestling, soccer and long-distance swimming competitions have met with resistance from religious groups.