NCL from Sept 16 out of capital

National Cricket League (NCL), the first class cricket competition of the country, will get underway at five different host cities from September 15.

Like the previous edition, Walton, who penned a three-year-long deal with the BCB last year, remains the title sponsor of the upcoming 19th league.

Akram Khan, director of Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) disclosed all these at the press conference at the Media Block of the Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium (SBNCS) yesterday.

Rajshahi, Khulna, Sylhet, Chittagong and Cox’s Bazar will host all the matches of the league. Dhaka has been dropped as more games will be played here in Dhaka.   

A total of eight teams including seven divisional teams along with Dhaka Metro, splitting into two-tier, will take part in the longer version cricket league.  

Last year Khulna Division emerged champions in the Tier-1. Dhaka Metro has been demoted from Tier-1 to Tier-2. Rangpur Division promoted to Tier-1 becoming Tier-2 champions.

This year the Tier-1 has been clubbed with Khulna Division, Dhaka Division, Barisal Division and Rangpur Division, while Dhaka Metro, Rajshahi Division, Chittagong Division and Sylhet Division comprised of the Tier-2.

During the NCL, the players of the national team will be touring in South Africa for the next one and half-a-months. So they will miss the league. But Mashrafe Bin Mortaza will be seen playing the first round game of the league for Khulan Division. Along with that, BCB-high Performance Team, who is now in England for the eight-match one-day series against different county clubs’ teams will return home on September, will miss the initial two round games.

Akram Khan also said that the most of the facilities have been increased for the players this year.

“Match fee has been increased from Tk 25,000 to Tk 35,000. Travel allowance has also been enhanced from Tk 2,000 to Tk2,500, while daily allowance has also been boosted from Tk 1,000 to Tk 1,500,” the former captain revealed.  

He was accompanied by Walton executive director (policy, HRM and admin) SM Zahid Hasan, its senior operative director (creative and publication) Uday Hakim and senior deputy director Miton Ahmed ‘among other’ were also present.    

“In true sense, cricketers come out from the longer version cricket. We’re saturated with NCL. Even we are with BCL. The players likes of Mustafizur Rahman and Mehedi Hasan Miraj come out from the domestic cricket league. Hopefully star players like them will come out in future also,” said SM Zahid Hasan.  

When asked about the wickets, the former captain said that they have worked on wickets since so many days for the NCL so that the matches could be held on sporting deck.

“This time wickets in the league will be sporting so that batsmen could score more runs as well as bowlers could take the advantage of the wickets,” he responded.    

NCL from Sept 16 out of capital

National Cricket League (NCL), the first class cricket competition of the country, will get underway at five different host cities from September 15. Like the previous edition, Walton, who penned a three-year-long deal with the BCB last year, remains the title sponsor of the upcoming 19th league. Akram Khan, director of Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) disclosed all these at the press conference at the Media Block of the Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium (SBNCS) yesterday. Rajshahi, Khulna, Sylhet, Chittagong and Coxs Bazar will host all the matches of the league. Dhaka has been dropped as more games will be played here in Dhaka. A total of eight teams including seven divisional teams along with Dhaka Metro, splitting into two-tier, will take part in the longer version cricket league. Last year Khulna Division emerged champions in the Tier-1. Dhaka Metro has been demoted from Tier-1 to Tier-2. Rangpur Division promoted to Tier-1 becoming Tier-2 champions. This year the Tier-1 has been clubbed with Khulna Division, Dhaka Division, Barisal Division and Rangpur Division, while Dhaka Metro, Rajshahi Division, Chittagong Division and Sylhet Division comprised of the Tier-2. During the NCL, the players of the national team will be touring in South Africa for the next one and half-a-months. So they will miss the league. But Mashrafe Bin Mortaza will be seen playing the first round game of the league for Khulan Division. Along with that, BCB-high Performance Team, who is now in England for the eight-match one-day series against different county clubs teams will return home on September, will miss the initial two round games. Akram Khan also said that the most of the facilities have been increased for the players this year. Match fee has been increased from Tk 25,000 to Tk 35,000. Travel allowance has also been enhanced from Tk 2,000 to Tk2,500, while daily allowance has also been boosted from Tk 1,000 to Tk 1,500, the former captain revealed. He was accompanied by Walton executive director (policy, HRM and admin) SM Zahid Hasan, its senior operative director (creative and publication) Uday Hakim and senior deputy director Miton Ahmed among other were also present. In true sense, cricketers come out from the longer version cricket. Were saturated with NCL. Even we are with BCL. The players likes of Mustafizur Rahman and Mehedi Hasan Miraj come out from the domestic cricket league. Hopefully star players like them will come out in future also, said SM Zahid Hasan. When asked about the wickets, the former captain said that they have worked on wickets since so many days for the NCL so that the matches could be held on sporting deck. This time wickets in the league will be sporting so that batsmen could score more runs as well as bowlers could take the advantage of the wickets, he responded.