The Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) has secured its first transport partner for an international home series, with app- and web-based transport service Garibook agreeing to pay Tk25 lakh for the upcoming two-Test series against the West Indies.
BCB marketing and commercial committee chairman Masuduzzaman announced the partnership at a press conference in the media conference room of the Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium on Thursday.
Under the agreement, Garibook’s branding will feature on the team buses of Bangladesh and the West Indies during the series. The partnership will help the board cover part of its transport expenses through sponsorship.
Transport is a major cost for the BCB during an international series. The board must arrange buses to carry players between hotels, grounds and training venues, as well as covered vans for cricket equipment, security vehicles, transport for match officials and logistics staff, and arrangements for the media.
According to the BCB, transport costs for a bilateral series can reach at least Tk5 lakh a day. The bill for the West Indies’ 23-day tour could exceed Tk1 crore, excluding air travel between Dhaka and Sylhet.
Although the BCB has secured sponsors across several categories for international home series, transport had not previously had a dedicated partner. The board views the new agreement as an addition to its marketing and commercial activities.
Masuduzzaman said the board had been working to bring in new partners and sponsors across different categories.
“We have tried in various ways to move forward with new partnerships, and we have secured a sponsor in a new category. Marketing carries a huge responsibility. Four or five months ago, businesses were struggling, with shortages of gas and electricity. The situation has changed over the past month,” he said.
Garibook founder and chief executive Syed Rajib Hossain said discussions with the BCB about becoming involved in cricket had been under way for some time.
“We did not get involved with cricket overnight. We had been in discussions with the cricket board for a long time, looking at how we could associate ourselves with the game and work together. Since we operate in the transport sector, the partnership was a natural fit,” he said.
“We hope to continue working with the BCB in other ways in the future.”