Suprovat Sydney Report: The Australia-Bangladesh Divisional Cricket League held its third edition on October 13, 2024, featuring six vibrant teams representing their respective home divisions in Bangladesh. The competition showcased two teams each from Dhaka and Chattogram divisions: ‘Dhakaiyan Mastan’ and ‘Dhakaiyan Nobabs’ from Dhaka, and ‘Chittagong Vikings’ and ‘Comillar Polapain’ from Chattogram. Additionally, ‘Sylhet Royals’ and ‘Sundarban Tigers’ represented the Sylhet and Khulna divisions, respectively.

Each team played two matches against their group rivals, with the top point holders advancing to face the champions of the opposing group in the final. Ultimately, ‘Dhakaiyan Mastan’ triumphed, defeating ‘Sundarban Tigers’ to clinch the championship title, while ‘Dhakaiyan Nobabs’ and ‘Sylhet Royals’ reached the semi-finals.

The matches were thrilling and packed with excitement, featuring numerous twists and spectacular moments that kept fans on the edge of their seats. The final was partially live-streamed on Facebook, allowing the community to share in the excitement.

Players enjoyed a light breakfast and a delicious lunch, transforming Riverwood Park into a lively community cricket festival. The lunch was not only plentiful but also offered a delightful culinary experience, fostering camaraderie among players, friends, and supporters.

The tournament was graced by the presence of Abdullah Yousuf Shamim, a prominent community leader and chief editor of Suprovat Sydney, the only Bangladeshi community newspaper in Australia. His engaging conversation with the players added joy to the event.  As the chief guest, he presented a variety of prizes to the players. Special thanks go to Star Biryani Rockdale for sponsoring vouchers for the tournament’s best batsman, Ryad, and the best bowler. Dhansiri Cafe  also generously provided a wonderful lunch.

Awards were presented for outstanding performances throughout the tournament. Six ‘Man of the Match’ awards were given, with Tipu being one of the recipients. Ifty Hossain was honored as the highest boundary scorer, while Arafat received the Best Wicketkeeper award. Asif and Ekbal Sawon were recognized for their exceptional bowling and batting performances, and Sobuj was awarded the coveted ‘Man of the Tournament.’

Beyond cricket, this event served as a heartfelt gathering for the Bangladeshi-Australian community, emphasizing the importance of celebrating our rich heritage. We sincerely hope that the government of Bangladesh will take initiatives to promote, preserve, and restore the poems, songs, and cultural heritage of regional dialects. Additionally, we believe that equal recognition should be given to the numerous tribal languages of Bangladesh, alongside Bangla, as part of our national identity.

A heartfelt thank you goes out to all the players, organizers, and captains for their dedication and effort in making this event a success. Special appreciation is extended to the organizing committee members: Shakil Ahmed Pony, Shezan Sakib, and Ohidul Islam, whose contributions were invaluable to this celebration of cricket and community spirit.