Sports Desk:

Sirajganj district clinched the Young Tigers Challenge Trophy 2025-26 title, defeating hosts Rajshahi district by 57 runs in the final held at the Rajshahi Divisional Stadium on Wednesday.

Organised by the BCB’s Game Development Department, the tournament featured eight district teams from the Rajshahi Division, comprising players aged between Under-16 and Under-18. Sixteen coaches—eight from the BCB and eight local—were involved in guiding and mentoring the participants throughout the event.

BCB President Aminul Islam Bulbul lauded the achievement of Sirajganj, saying, “Sirajganj’s triumph, despite not being a traditional cricketing force, proves that talent exists everywhere—it just needs opportunity and the right support. The success of this tournament is a result of the combined efforts of the Game Development team, logistics unit, and local authorities.”

He further added, “The recent children’s cricket carnival in Rajshahi helped build momentum, contributing to the tournament’s success. The Young Tigers Challenge Trophy reflects the BCB’s commitment to inclusive development, with plans to expand such initiatives across more districts and divisions.”

Speaking about the scouting initiative, BCB’s Head of Game Development Kazi Habibul Bashar said, “We deployed a group of former national cricketers, Mohammad Rafique, Mehrab Hossain Opee, Javed Omar Belim, Hasibul Hossain, and our spin coach Shahid Mahmood to scout promising individuals. They’ve identified 8 standout batters, 5 pace bowlers, 3 leg-spinners, 3 left-arm spinners, 1 off-spinner and a wicketkeeper who have shown significant potential. These names will now be closely monitored as part of our follow-up development process.”