Cricket is by far the most popular sport in Bangladesh. There are millions of sports-loving fans here, but cricket comes out on top when we’re talking about pure numbers. And as you would expect, this means the cricket betting space in Bangladesh is also pretty popular, with a handful of sites and apps serving as hotspots for match winner bets, overs/unders, and everything else in between. 

As you might already know, betting is mostly illegal in Bangladesh. However, what a lot of people do now is access international betting sites. This allows them to keep betting on cricket without breaking any rules, so this guide is going to show you the legal cricket betting sites and apps you can sign-up with if you’re currently living in Bangladesh. 

Let’s jump into the details. 

🏏🏆 Cricket Betting Sites and Apps: Best Options for Bangladesh Players

If you currently live in Bangladesh and want to bet on cricket, you have one option: use an international betting site or app. This will require you to register an account, verify your identity, and choose a deposit method (e.g. credit card). From here, you’ll then be able to start betting on the Ashes, T20 World Cup, ICC Men’s Trophy, and any other major cricket league or tournament you can think of. 

1. 22Bet

First up is 22bet. This betting site has been popular amongst South Asian players for a while now and is regularly used by those living in India and Bangladesh. One of the main reasons for this is because it’s a leading 100 taka deposit site, offering extremely low deposits, ultra-fast withdrawals, and instant live score updates. Not to mention, you can look forward to an extensive range of cricket betting markets on 22Bet, too, which is great news for anyone who wants to go a bit deeper than the standard ‘Match Winner’ bets. And to cap everything off, you can get an eye-watering weekly Reload Bonus of up to 12,000 BDT after signing up with 22Bet, something that’s perfect if you need a little extra money to bet with. 

2. 1xBet

1xBet is another huge household name in the South Asia betting market. It’s especially huge with Indian players, but people from Bangladesh are also hooked on the site. You can’t blame them, either, as 1xBet is one of the best betting sites when it comes to user features. There are constant bonuses and promotions throughout the year, a ton of localized payment methods (e.g. bKash), a huge range of betting markets, and more. Of course, there’s also live streaming and in-play betting options available through 1xBet as well, so this is extremely beneficial to the cricket fans out there who want to watch games directly through the site and place bets at the same time. Essentially, you’re killing two birds with one stone — and 1xBet has nailed this part of the market. 

3. bet365

Even if you’re only a cricket betting beginner, you’ve likely heard of bet365 before. It’s one of the most popular betting sites ever, boasting over 100 million — yep, million — worldwide users. And although most of these users are based in Europe, there’s a fast-growing number of people creating accounts with bet365 from South Asian countries. This is largely because bet365 has great odds, big parlay bonuses, and odds boosts that can strike at any moment. For example, you might be prepping to place a surprise bet on the Chennai Super Kings to win the IPL only for their odds to get boosted from 6/1 to 9/1, creating an even bigger potential payout. Just like 1xBet, bet365 also offers live streams of T20, ODI, and even Test matches for account holders to watch. 

4. Crickex

Next is a cricket-exclusive betting site: Crickex. It’s a highly popular platform used by people in Bangladesh, India, Pakistan, and several other countries in South Asia because of the simple fact it ticks all the right boxes and is made specifically for cricket fans. You can enjoy live odds, IPL betting, and an incredible range of banking options, too. Plus, Crickex has an excellent reputation for on-site safety (regularly encouraging its users to gamble responsibly) and has formed partnerships with Srabanti Chatterjee, Pori Moni and lots of other popular celebrities from South Asia, so this has led to the site becoming more popular than ever. 

5. Melbet

If those options aren’t enough, the final Bangladesh betting site to try today is Melbet. With Melbet, players can get Daily Cashback, free bets, and a VIP & Loyalty Program thrown on top. When it comes to cricket betting itself, all of the major leagues are covered on Melbet, including the IPL, BPL, and PSL. You also get to pick from an incredibly diverse range of betting markets, such as the Number of Sixes & Fours and specific player performance bets (e.g. Virat Kohli to score 20+ runs). From a cricket fan’s perspective, signing up is a no-brainer, especially if you want to try a slightly different betting site instead of the big-name brands. 

Is Cricket Betting Illegal in Bangladesh? 

Yes — cricket betting is illegal in Bangladesh under the Public Gambling Act of 1867. Despite the domestic law, though, what millions of Bangladesh sports fans do is access international betting sites, which is 100% legal. All of the above-mentioned cricket betting sites and apps accept international customers, from 22Bet to Bet365. The only catch is that you’ll still need to be above the legal gambling age, which is 18 or 21 in most cases. As long as you’re above it, you’ll be free to start betting on cricket as soon as possible once your account is fired up. 

Live Stream Games While Betting on Cricket

It doesn’t matter if you’re betting on the IPL or BPL: it’s highly recommended that you access live streams of whichever games you’re betting on. This way, you can get a genuine ‘feel’ of the match and how it might turn out, which can then guide any live bets you place. As discussed a little earlier, 1xBet and Bet365 are just some of the cricket betting sites that let you live stream games — so it’s definitely worth taking advantage of them. 

Final Thoughts

Cricket betting is huge in Bangladesh. Simply put, cricket fans here love to bet on any cricket match they can using international betting sites. So, if you’re looking to join in on this, you’re officially up-to-date on which specific sites you can use. And remember, all of these sites have been tried, tested, and verified to be safe, meaning there’s nothing to worry about in terms of your personal security or finances. Happy betting and remember to place your cricket bets responsibly.

This might surprise many people, but Bangladesh’s sports scene tells an amazing story about changing athletic priorities and success.

Cricket has become the country’s most favorite sport. Bangladesh joined the ranks of top ten cricket nations globally in 1999. The nation’s sports achievements reached a peak when its Under-19 cricket team won their first ICC tournament in 2020. The country’s athletic heritage goes beyond cricket. Athletes have excelled in swimming, karate, and golf. Siddikur Rahman made history as the first Bangladeshi to win an Asian Tour event in 2010.

Bangladesh’s rich sporting culture runs deep from its traditional roots to its modern changes. These different sports have built the nation’s athletic identity.

The Evolution of Sports in Bangladesh

Bangladesh’s sporting heritage goes back thousands of years. Traditional games have shaped the nation’s athletic identity. Kabaddi, known locally as ha-du-du, has been a 4,000-year-old practice throughout the country, especially in rural areas.

Traditional roots of Kabaddi

People originally played the game to test their self-defense skills, agility, and swift movements—abilities crucial for survival in primitive times. Modern kabaddi’s closest form emerged in Faridpur during the early 20th century. The Bangladesh Amateur Kabaddi Federation created official rules in 1973.

Colonial influence on sports culture

Cricket came to Bengal with the British in the eighteenth century. Football grew immensely popular during the colonial period. The sport became a symbol of resistance against colonial rule after Mohun Bagan’s historic victory over the East Yorkshire Regiment in 1911. This triumph brought millions together and made football a powerful force of latent nationalism.

Post-independence sporting identity

Bangladesh organized its sporting structure after gaining independence in 1971. Prime Minister Bangabandhu Sheik Mujibur Rahman created several prominent sporting institutions in 1972:

• The Bangladesh Cricket Control Board (now BCB)
• The Bangladesh Sports Control Organization
• The Ministry of Sports and Youth
• The Bangladesh Football Federation

Rahman also declared kabaddi as the national sport in 1972. The sport achieved remarkable international success when Bangladesh won silver medals in the Asian Games of 1990, 1994, and 2002. The country’s sporting scene changed as cricket surpassed football to become the most popular sport over the last two decades.

Understanding Bangladesh’s National Sport

Kabaddi, Bangladesh’s national sport, combines physical strength with mental discipline. Players need no special equipment or skills to begin, making it available to everyone.

What makes Kabaddi unique

Kabaddi’s most distinctive quality lies in its breath control requirement. Raiders must chant “Kabaddi” continuously as they try to tag opponents, which proves they complete the raid in a single breath. The sport’s deep roots in rural life have made it particularly cherished in Bangladesh’s villages, where locals know it as the “game of rural Bengal.”

Rules and gameplay basics

Players compete on a rectangular court that measures 12.5 meters by 10 meters. Teams consist of 12 players, though only seven can play at the time. Matches split into two 20-minute halves with a 5-minute break between them.

Players score points according to these rules:

• Raiders earn one point for each tagged defender
• Defending teams get one point after stopping a raider
• Teams receive two bonus points by eliminating all seven opponents

Each match needs six officials: two umpires, one scorer, one assistant scorer, and one referee. Raiders aim to enter the opponent’s territory, tag defenders, and return safely without being tackled. Defenders can use several techniques like ankle holds, back holds, and front tackles to stop raiders.

Kabaddi’s appeal goes beyond competitive matches. Village residents often play during festivals and holidays. Local tournaments feature exciting matchups between different paras (localities), and sometimes unique contests pit married players against unmarried ones.

Modern Sports Landscape

The sports market in Bangladesh has grown into a USD 300 million industry (over 3,500 crore BDT), with a 7% annual growth rate. Nearly 60% of the country’s 85 million internet users follow sports actively.

Cricket’s rising dominance

Cricket has become Bangladesh’s favorite sport over the past few decades. The national team, known as the ‘Tigers’, reached their most important milestones in 2015 by:

• Defeating Pakistan in a series (3-0)
• Winning against India (2-1)
• Overcoming South Africa (2-1)

The Under-19 cricket team made history in 2020. They won their first ICC tournament by defeating India in South Africa. The Bangladesh men’s national team now holds the No. 9 position in Tests, ODIs, and T20Is.

Popular sports betting platforms

Cricket tournaments and football events like the FIFA World Cup and English Premier League drive online betting. Many fans engage with platforms like Melbet Bangladesh, which offers extensive sports betting options. Users can easily place bets, follow live updates, and enjoy secure transactions. To start, sports enthusiasts can simply melbet download the app and access a wide range of sports events.

Digital transformation in sports

Technology has altered the map of Bangladesh’s sporting scene. KhelaHobe, a 2-year-old sports-community platform, connects athletes and enthusiasts. The platform serves over 10,000 users, including 4,000 repeat users, and works together with 8 corporate partners.

KhelaHobe’s digital scoreboard features cover cricket and football. They plan to add badminton and basketball soon. The platform manages facilities like the Police Staff College and organizes sports events. Players participate to earn spots on digital leaderboards, creating an active community.

Sports Infrastructure Development

Bangladesh has built 36 major stadiums across its districts, showing substantial growth in sports infrastructure. These venues support multiple sports from cricket and football to swimming and athletics.

Current facilities

The country features world-class venues like the Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium that seats 25,000 fans. 36,000 spectators can fill the National Stadium in Motijheel where football matches and athletic events take place. The MA Aziz Stadium in Chittagong serves as a multi-purpose venue with room for 30,000 spectators.

Government initiatives

The Ministry of Youth and Sports has rolled out a bold plan to improve sports infrastructure nationwide. The government has set aside 405.69 crore taka in the recent budget for development. Major projects include:

• Construction of Sheik Russell Mini Stadium in each upazila
• Sports centers coming up in 148 divisional cities
• A specialized sports institute that will serve as a “Center of Excellence”

The ministry wants to build a sports village in the capital that will house all 55 sports federations under one roof. This mega project will offer office spaces and grounds in one central location.

Private investment growth

Private sector participation is vital for sports development. Sports clubs like Dhaka Wanderers, Abahani Krirachakra, and Mohammedan have invested in quality facilities. Private organizations also develop sports complexes that promote physical activity and offer recreational spaces to communities.

Conclusion

Bangladesh blends its sporting traditions with modern excellence beautifully. Traditional games like ha-du-du built the nation’s athletic foundation. Cricket has become the country’s most beloved sport. The country excels at preserving cultural sports like kabaddi while nurturing cricket talent, strengthening Bangladesh’s position in international sports consistently.