The first competitive meet will allow women cricket aspirants from throughout the country to show their skills and will help the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) to form the country's first national women's cricket team.

Women's cricket is a popular sport in several countries, with an increasingly high profile being given to women's teams. Pakistan's women cricketers are currently battling it out with their South African counterparts in five match one-day international series in South Africa.

About 140 women will be in action for ten participating teams in the inter-district tournament with Dhaka, Narayanganj, Khulna, Rajshahi, Jahangirnagar University, Chittagong, Rangamati, Bhola, Bogra and Ansars taking part in the two-week long meet.

"The question of whether the women cricketers will play well or not is not relevant now. The main thing is at last Bangladeshi women are going to play cricket nationally and we are ready to extend our helping hands if needed," said Bangladesh captain Habibul Bashar while welcoming the women cricketers.

"Women's cricket is not entirely new in Bangladesh. It was introduced for the first in 1982, but it never really took off due to a lack of initiatives," said Hamida Begum, assistant director of National Sports Council (NSC).

"It was very important for the women cricketers to get recognition from the BCB. We received this in May. Now we don't have to look back," she said.

"This is the right time to be serious in this field," said Alaya Ferdousi, vice chairman of BCB Women's Wing, adding that Bangladeshi women have yet to participate in the Women's World Cup or the Asia Cup due to the lack of a proper national team.

"Family and society need to give women the opportunity to play sports, otherwise they will be left as a weaker section in society," said Alaya.

One example of the unwavering determination of women players is Mahmuda, who practices at the Women's Sports Complex at Dhanmondi.

Due to financial problems Mahmuda could not sit for her Secondary School Certificate (SSC) examinations last year. But her determination to do something has taken her to the ground to compete for a place in the national team.

"I was the school sports champion, so I made up my mind that I will involve myself in sports. I have been trying my best to be a full-fledged cricketer," said Mahmuda, adding that she used to train in front her home ignoring incessant teasing from the neighbours.

Former national coach Syed Altaf Hossain said women are playing better cricket than before.

"They are more agile in bowling, batting and fielding now and they proved it in an exhibition match," he said, stressing the need to organise more tournaments and matches in order for the women to make further strides.

"Our girls have been playing well in the practice matches," said Parvin Putul, coach of Dhaka. "They have come a long way. They have overcome all the fears about cricket, barriers from their families and the society. They now believe that they can build a carrier in cricket."

"Earlier, the BCB and the NSC hardly realised that women could prove themselves but now they have a bright future," said Putul.