¶¶Òõ¾«Æ·

The proposed expansion of the NCL T20 has been welcomed by the players following its successful run last year, as it offers an excellent platform for domestic players to demonstrate their skills.Ìý

The players had always asked for a domestic T20 tournament other than the Bangladesh Premier League. In the past, the BCB tried to organise various tournaments like that but couldn’t continue.Ìý

The first NCL T20 was held back in 2010 with six teams taking part, but before 2024, it went into a limbo. Last season, the BCB seemed to be enthusiastic about it, though the window was small.Ìý

The governing body of cricket initially said that the league stage would be held in Sylhet before the playoff would take place in Dhaka.Ìý

However, the tournament concluded on two grounds in the Sylhet International Cricket Stadium between December 11 and December 24, where Rangpur were crowned champions.Ìý

This time, the BCB said that the tournament would expand to three different venues. It is supposed to run from September 14 to October 4, though the official itinerary is yet to be published.

Akbar Ali, who captained the champions Rangpur last year, welcomed the changes.Ìý

I think the last edition was a very good tournament, despite being held in a short time. As T20 cricket tends to be competitive, it was fantastic,’ Akbar told ¶¶Òõ¾«Æ·.Ìý

‘Now I am hearing that it will be expanded. The last edition was held in a short space of time; now this may be expanded to two to three weeks. So the players will get some rest too, which was not possible last time,’ added the wicketkeeper-batter.

Akbar, the Under-19 World Cup-winning captain, also said that the expansion of venues would increase the quality of cricket.Ìý

‘Regarding the venues, the last edition was played in two grounds in Sylhet. The thing is, there were plenty of runs at the beginning. But as the tournament progressed, the runs started to dry up as the wickets got tired,’ he said.Ìý

‘I think, if the tournament is expanded, there will be more runs even in the last phase. This is a good sign,’ he said.Ìý

The other significance of this year’s tournament will be the timing of it. The last edition was held after the BPL draft, whereas the next will be prior to that.Ìý

Akbar thinks that it would give exposure to the players.

'We asked for this so that the players can get exposure, especially those who don’t get the opportunities that much otherwise,’ he said.

'Like in India, the Mushtaq Ali Trophy is held just before the IPL draft. It’s not a new idea in that sense, but as this is new in our country, this is a positive thing.’Ìý

The chief programme coordinator of the BCB, Minhajul Abedin, also hopes that the NCL T20 will bring forward some performers.Ìý

‘[We hope] to find some good performers. The performances of many players in T20s are not up to the mark here. Of course it will be a platform to check out some players. If some good performers can be found, then they can be polished,’ Minhajul told reporters recently.Ìý

The former chief selector and national team captain also said that it would give some options to the current selectors.Ìý

‘As there will be around six months before the T20 World Cup, I think the selectors will get the opportunities to see and build players,’ he said.Ìý

Ìý