The 17th National Cricket League, the country’s premier first-class tournament, is all set to begin this Friday with hopes that it will shred its “picnic mood” image and present some competitive cricket.
Bangladesh Cricket Board’s tournament committee chairman Akram Khan informed that all possible initiatives have been taken by the board to ensure the competition recovers some of its lost charm. Launched in 2000, the first-class tournament has gradually lost attraction with the progression of time due to the lack of importance shown by the participating teams.
In order to perk up the antagonism between the eight teams of the forthcoming edition, the BCB has introduced a two-tier system in the tournament. The first four teams in the points table from last season – Rangpur division, Dhaka Metropolis, Khulna division and Dhaka division – make up the top tier while the bottom four teams – Rajshahi division, Barisal division, Chittagong division and Sylhet division – will compete in the second tier.
Matches in each tier will be played in accordance with the double home-and-away league format. The top finisher in tier two will be promoted to tier one while the team finishing bottom in the top flight will be demoted to the second tier.
“You see, the teams in the second tier will want to get promoted while those in the first tier will like to hold on to their place. I think this system will create competition and make the tournament exciting,” Akram told the media yesterday during the sponsor declaration ceremony at Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium.
“The practice sessions and the other aspects are to be decided by the respective divisions. The teams were notified of the tournament, say around two months ago. I believe the board has done everything required to motivate them. I personally contacted the divisions, asking them to prepare themselves,” said Akram, when enquired about the preparation of the participating teams.
“It is true that the quality of this tournament had a fall but we are trying to restore that right now. Hopefully, everything will be in place in the upcoming days,” the former national captain added.
Akram also announced the details of the tournament in the presser where Walton LED television was named as the title sponsor of the competition.
“We have the Eid-ul-Adha vacation up ahead. The first round starts this Friday and ends this Monday. The cricketers will not face trouble with their journeys while heading back home for the Eid holidays. We tried to make sure that the venues would be convenient for them. The home-and-away format will be in place from the second round onward,” Akram explained.
Following the first round, the tournament will be suspended for the Eid holidays before resuming on October 1.
The first-class tournament was brought forward keeping the upcoming Test matches against Australia in mind. The first of two Tests against the Aussies will get underway in Chittagong on October 9.
