An official national cricket league for Turkey was created in 2004, following on from previous ad hoc tournaments. The sport was introduced by Pakistani expatriates studying at Bilkent University and Middle East Technical University in Ankara. By 2009 the national league had five teams in Ankara and one team in Istanbul, and had begun to spread to native Turkish players.[5]
In September 2009 Turkey took part in the 2009 European Cricket Championship Division 5 in Corfu, Greece. This was their first international cricket tournament. Turkey recorded their first win in international cricket against Bulgaria[6] during the tournament, although this could not stop them finishing sixth and last.
2018-Present
In April 2018, the ICC decided to grant full Twenty20 International (T20I) status to all its members. Therefore, all Twenty20 matches played between the Turkey and other ICC members after 1 January 2019 will be a full T20I.[7]
On 24 June 2023, Turkey registered their first win in T20Is against Croatia, in the 2023 Bulgaria Quadrangular Series. Turkey defeated Croatia by 8 wickets, by chasing a target of 84.
Turkey won by 8 wickets National Sports Academy, Sofia Umpires: Ivan Dimitrov (Bul) and Sam Romeo Ranjan (Bul) Player of the match: Muhammed Turkmen (Tur)
