The 16th edition of the National Cricket League will get underway today with four matches taking place at different venues in Dhaka. In the first round of the country’s premier first-class competition, Dhaka will lock horns with Barisal at Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium, Rajshahi will face Dhaka Metropolis at BKSP 3, Rangpur will take on Chittagong at Khan Shaheb Osman Ali Stadium and Khulna will encounter Sylhet at BKSP 2.
Walton was declared the title sponsor of the tournament yesterday in a press conference at Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium. Bangladesh Cricket Board director and tournament committee chairman Akram Khan, age-level tournament committee chairman Tanjil Chowdhury, RB Group CEO Jahid Hasan, RB Group deputy director Uday Hakim and other dignitaries were present in the press conference.
“We are thankful to Walton for stepping forward as a partner. They have been working with Bangladesh cricket for a long time now and I hope they will keep on doing the same,” said Akram.
Meanwhile, since its inception in 1999, the 16th edition will be the last time the competition will be played in accordance with the old format.
In the 17th edition, the four divisional sides from this year’s tournament will play in the first tier while the bottom four teams will play in the second tier. From the 17th edition onwards, one team from each tier will gain promotion and relegation every season.
