ACB to support Bangladesh

The Australian Cricket Board (ACB) announced today that it would support Bangladesh's application for Test Match/Full Member status at the next meeting of the International Cricket Council (ICC) in June in London.

In addition, following a request by the President of the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB), Mr Saber Chowdhury MP, the ACB will also assist in development of the game in Bangladesh with a particular emphasis on cricket administration and marketing.

The decisions follow a presentation by Mr Chowdhury to the ACB Board of Directors last Friday (12 May) in the Northern Territory that detailed the BCB case for admission as a Full Member of the ICC.

In announcing these steps ACB Chairman, Denis Rogers, said that Bangladesh had clearly earned the right to become a Full Member.

"The BCB is to be congratulated for the cricket infrastructure now in place in Bangladesh, for the further steps and measures that are being taken to develop the game and for the recent competitive performances of its national team.

"Bangladesh has earned the right to become the tenth Test match playing nation. The ACB will be pleased to support its application for Full Membership of the ICC and to assist in the further development of the game," said Mr Rogers.

Mr Chowdhury welcomed the ACB decision.

"The ACB's decision to support our application for Full Membership is a huge boost and wonderful news for the people of Bangladesh and our cricket," said Mr Chowdhury.

"The cooperation between the Boards is also an excellent and very positive step. Strategic alliances and international networking will play a pivotal role in creating and shaping the future of Bangladesh cricket and I am excited by the immense possibilities this represents for ourselves and world cricket."

An agreement detailing the support and cooperation between the ACB and the BCB will also be signed in London next month.