1997: Bangladesh wins the sixth ICC trophy in Malaysia. Bangladesh also becomes a regular ICC member with the right to play one-day internationals.

1998: Bangladesh posts its first ODI win against Kenya in India. In October, Bangladesh hosts (although did not participate in) the first ever "Mini World Cup", a knock-out ODI tournament featuring all the test playing nations.

1999: Bangladesh performs in the 7th Cricket World Cup in England. In a group match, Bangladesh defeats Pakistan.

1999-2000: A new first-class format National League is launched. The home and away tournament has divisional teams from Dhaka, Chittagong, Sylhet, Khulna, Barisal and Rajshahi.

2000: Bangladesh attains the status of a test playing country on 26 June. Bangladesh's inagural test match takes place in Dhaka against touring India on 10-14 November, 2000

2004: In December, Bangladesh team wins its 100th ODI with a 15-run victory over World Cup Runners-up India at the Bangabandhu National Stadium in Dhaka, It was Bangladesh's overall sixth win in one-dayers, but the first ODI victory on home soil. It was also only their third win against a Test-playing nation after defeating Pakistan in the 1999 World Cup in England and beating Zimbabwe in March, 2004.

2005: In January, Bangladesh records their maiden test victory with a thumping 226 runs win over Zimbabwe. This was the 35th test for Bangladesh. Bangladesh team also secures its first ever Test and ODI series wins.

In June, Bangladesh defeats world champions Australia in a Natwest Series ODI match. Mohammad Ashraful is the hero with a run-a-ball century.