[3] Sarkar made his first-class debut in January 2004, when he played for Dhaka against Rajshahi Division, and scored 26 runs in two innings as a specialist batsman.
[4] Dhaka won by six wickets, and Sarkar was retained for the first-class fixture against Khulna the following day.
After falling for 14 in the first innings, he returned to bat on the following day and was part of the season's highest opening partnership, adding 203 with Anwar Hossain.
[5] In his next first-class game, against Rajshahi Division, he was given the chance to bowl for the first time, and retrieved match figures of four for 41 from 18 overs: however, when Dhaka were set 349 to win in the final innings, Sarkar was bowled by Shafaq Al Zabir for an 11-ball duck.
[6] Sarkar contributed three more first-class half-centuries during the season: one as Dhaka drew the match with Barisal,[7] and 71 and 60 in a draw with Khulna Division.