The Wills International Cup, as the inaugural 1998 tournament was called, was the brainchild of former ICC president Jagmohan Dalmiya, a powerful figure in Indian cricket.

Dhaka in Bangladesh was chosen as the first venue for the new tournament, in keeping with the remit to help developing cricket nations.

Originally Disneyland and Sharjah were the options but, after almost being moved to India because of floods, it became a vehicle for local people keen to press the hosts' case for Test status.

Strangely, however, the Tigers were not one of the nine teams invited to play.