Prime Bank National School Cricket 2025-26: Empowering Future Stars
A New Chapter for Grassroots Cricket
The stage is set for the return of the most significant youth sports initiative in the country. The 11th edition of the Prime Bank National School Cricket tournament, officially branded as the Prime Bank National School Cricket 2025-26, is scheduled to commence on April 10. Operating under the meticulous supervision of the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) and bolstered by the continued sponsorship of Prime Bank PLC, this tournament stands as a beacon for aspiring young cricketers.
The Scale of the Competition
Since the inception of this partnership in 2015, the scope of the tournament has grown exponentially. This year, the scale of participation is truly impressive: more than 8,500 cricketers representing 350 schools across all 64 districts are set to compete. The tournament structure is designed to be comprehensive, ensuring that talent is identified from the most remote corners of the nation. The journey begins with district-level fixtures, eventually progressing through intense divisional rounds before culminating in the highly anticipated national championship. In total, 651 matches will be contested, serving as a massive audition for the stars of tomorrow.
High-Profile Support and Mentorship
The official launch of the tournament was marked by a vibrant jersey unveiling ceremony held on April 9 at the BCB Media Center. The event highlighted the unity between corporate support and sporting excellence. Notable figures in attendance included Prime Bank’s Additional Managing Director M Nazeem A Choudhury and Senior Assistant Vice President & Head of Brand and Communications, Syed Raihan Tariq. Representing the BCB were legends and current icons, including former captain and chief selector Habibul Bashar Sumon, Test captain Najmul Hossain Shanto, and national team batter Towhid Hridoy—the latter of whom is a testament to the success of school-level cricket.
An Emotional Commitment to Development
M Nazeem A Choudhury shared his enthusiasm for the long-standing collaboration, noting the tangible impact the tournament has had on the national team. ‘We have seen around ten to twelve cricketers from school cricket reach the highest level, which is a matter of pride for us,’ he stated. ‘Grassroots cricket is very important for the overall progress of the game in the country. Prime Bank is proud and happy to be involved in this journey. We have been sponsoring school cricket for 10 years, and it has become an emotional commitment for us.’
A Legacy of Growth
The numbers behind the tournament speak volumes about its contribution to the sporting ecosystem. Since its launch in 2015, the initiative has provided a platform for 3,507 schools, engaging 76,235 young cricketers who have collectively played 6,195 matches. These statistics underscore the depth of the talent pool being cultivated year after year.
Investing in the Future: Scholarships
Recognizing that financial support is as crucial as technical guidance, Prime Bank continues to incentivize excellence. Beyond providing a competitive environment, the tournament facilitates scholarships for the top players as identified by BCB age-group selectors. Demonstrating a heightened commitment to student-athletes, the organizers have announced a significant increase in support for this edition: the number of scholarships has been raised from 15 to 25, while the annual scholarship value has effectively doubled from 60,000 taka to 120,000 taka per recipient. This financial backing ensures that promising young cricketers can focus on their development without the burden of financial constraints.
Looking Ahead
As the first ball is bowled on April 10, the focus shifts to the pitch, where thousands of schoolboys will chase their dreams of donning the national jersey. The Prime Bank National School Cricket tournament remains the lifeblood of Bangladesh’s cricket talent pipeline, proving year after year that the foundation of a successful national team is built on the pitches of local schools.